Sanofi-aventis responds to the emergency request for humanitarian aid to Lebanon

Paris, July 20, 2006 - Sanofi-aventis responded immediately on Tuesday evening to the call for medical assistance launched by the French Foreign Ministry, to offer support to Lebanon's health authorities and express solidarity with the people of Lebanon. The Group's teams were mobilized in order to collect over 5.5 tons of drugs (antibiotics, analgesics, anti-angor drugs and anti-thrombotics), that will ensure continuity of treatment for the displaced and injured. The shipment of drug donations left for Cyprus this morning by special flight chartered by the French government aid agency, the Délégation à l’Action Humanitaire. From Cyprus, it will be forwarded to Lebanon by sea. The pharmaceutical industry's emergency aid organization Tulipe, to which sanofi-aventis also donates medicines (anti-inflammatories, analgesics, antibiotics), will be sending 15 emergency medical supply kits by a special charter flight leaving this evening. Distribution of the drugs on arrival will be handled by the ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross). Sanofi-aventis in Lebanon has also mobilized its resources to offer assistance to local health authorities and donate drugs. About sanofi-aventis Sanofi-aventis is the world’s third largest pharmaceutical company, ranking number one in Europe. Backed by a world-class R&D organisation, sanofi-aventis is developing leading positions in seven major therapeutic areas: cardiovascular, thrombosis, oncology, metabolic diseases, central nervous system, internal medicine and vaccines. Sanofi-aventis is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York (NYSE: SNY).