First 9 months of 2006

First 9 months of 2006: Sales growth of 2.6% on a comparable basis1 Adjusted EPS growth of 15.0%, or 7.5% excluding selected items3 The consolidated income statement for the first 9 months of 2006 is provided in the appendices. Consolidated net income after minority interests for the period was €3,431 million, compared with €1,802 million for the first 9 months of 2005, after the impact of the accounting treatment of acquisitions (primarily the acquisition of Aventis) and restructuring costs (€2,232 million after tax in 2006 and €3,089 million in 2005). In order to give a better representation of our underlying economic performance, we have decided to publish and explain an adjusted consolidated income statement1 for the first 9 months of 2006 and the third quarter of 2006, and to compare them with an adjusted consolidated income statement for the first 9 months and third quarter of 2005 respectively. Adjusted net income for the first 9 months of 2006 was €5,663 million, compared with €4,891 million for the first 9 months of 2005. Unless otherwise indicated, all sales growth figures in this press release are stated on a comparable basis1. THIRD QUARTER: - Third quarter of 2006 hit by the launch of a generic version of clopidogrel bisulfate in the United States on August 8, 2006, and by measures to curb healthcare costs in France and Germany. - Net sales: €6,901 million, down 1.1% (down 4.2% on a reported basis). Excluding the impact of the introduction of generics of 4 products2 in the United States, sales growth would have been 3.4%. - Increase of 8.4% in R&D expenses. - Adjusted EPS of €1.26 (down 12.5%), or €1.26 (down 7.4%) excluding selected items3. FIRST 9 MONTHS: - Net sales: €21,017 million, up 2.6% (up 3.5% on a reported basis). Excluding the impact of the introduction of generics of 4 products2 in the United States, sales growth would have been 8.1%. - Increase of 11.2% in R&D expenses. - Adjusted EPS of €4.21 (up 15.0%), or €3.87 (up 7.5%) excluding selected items (in particular the gain on the disposal of Exubera®). ACOMPLIA® LAUNCHED IN 7 EUROPEAN COUNTRIES 2006 GUIDANCE Barring major adverse events, the Group anticipates adjusted EPS growth of at least 2% for the full year 2006 (page 13). Read more in the attached file. ______________________________ REMINDER 8.00 am CET - WEBCAST & CONFERENCE CALL (English) The 3rd quarter 2006 sales and earnings will be reviewed today at 8.00 am (Paris time) by Mr. Hanspeter Spek, Executive Vice-President, Pharmaceutical Operations and Mr. Jean-Claude Leroy, Executive Vice-President, CFO. The slides will be available on http://www.sanofi-aventis.com. This presentation will be followed by a Q&A session. CALL-IN NUMBERS The conference will also be available by telephone via the following numbers: France +33 (0) 1 70 99 42 67 UK +44 (0) 207 138 0835 USA +1 718 354 1172 AUDIO REPLAY Available online at http://www.sanofi-aventis.com and through the numbers below (until November 9, 2006): France +33 (0) 1 71 23 02 48 UK +44 (0) 207 806 1970 USA +1 718 354 1112 Access code 6082411#