Bristol-Myers Squibb and sanofi-aventis Announce U.S. FDA Decision to Grant Pediatric Exclusivity For PLAVIX®

NEW YORK & PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY) and sanofi-aventis (EURONEXT: SAN, NYSE: SNY) today announced that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted the companies an additional six-month period of exclusivity to market PLAVIX® (clopidogrel bisulfate). Exclusivity for PLAVIX in the U.S. is now scheduled to expire on May 17, 2012.

About PLAVIX

PLAVIX is marketed by Bristol-Myers Squibb and sanofi-aventis, and is indicated for adult patients as follows:

Acute Coronary Syndrome

For patients with non-ST-segment elevation ACS [unstable angina (UA)/non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI)], including patients who are to be managed medically and those who are to be managed with coronary revascularization, PLAVIX has been shown to decrease the rate of a combined endpoint of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction (MI), or stroke as well as the rate of a combined endpoint of cardiovascular death, MI, stroke, or refractory ischemia.

For patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), PLAVIX has been shown to reduce the rate of death from any cause and the rate of a combined endpoint of death, re-infarction, or stroke. The benefit for patients who undergo primary percutaneous coronary intervention is unknown.

The optimal duration of PLAVIX therapy in ACS is unknown.

Recent MI, Recent Stroke, or Established Peripheral Arterial Disease

For patients with a history of recent myocardial infarction (MI), recent stroke, or established peripheral arterial disease, PLAVIX has been shown to reduce the rate of a combined endpoint of new ischemic stroke (fatal or not), new MI (fatal or not), and other vascular death.

PLAVIX: IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

 
WARNING: DIMINISHED EFFECTIVENESS IN POOR METABOLIZERS
 
The effectiveness of PLAVIX is dependent on its activation to an active metabolite by the cytochrome P450 (CYP) system, principally CYP2C19 [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]. PLAVIX at recommended doses forms less of that metabolite and has a smaller effect on platelet function in patients who are CYP2C19 poor metabolizers. Poor metabolizers with acute coronary syndrome or undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention treated with PLAVIX at recommended doses exhibit higher cardiovascular event rates than do patients with normal CYP2C19 function. Tests are available to identify a patient's CYP2C19 genotype; these tests can be used as an aid in determining therapeutic strategy [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.5)]. Consider alternative treatment or treatment strategies in patients identified as CYP2C19 poor metabolizers [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)].

CONTRAINDICATIONS

PLAVIX is contraindicated in patients with active pathological bleeding such as peptic ulcer or intracranial hemorrhage.

PLAVIX is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity (e.g., anaphylaxis) to clopidogrel or any component of the product.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Avoid concomitant use of PLAVIX and drugs that inhibit CYP2C19 activity. Co-administration of PLAVIX with omeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor that is an inhibitor of CYP2C19, reduces the pharmacological activity of PLAVIX if given concomitantly or if given 12 hours apart [see Drug Interactions (7.1)]. Consider using another acid-reducing agent with less CYP2C19 inhibitory activity. Pantoprazole, a weak CYP2C19 inhibitor, had less effect on the pharmacological activity of PLAVIX than omeprazole [see Drug Interactions (7.1) and Dosage and Administration (2.4)].

Thienopyridines, including PLAVIX, increase the risk of bleeding. If a patient is to undergo surgery and an antiplatelet effect is not desired, discontinue PLAVIX 5 days prior to surgery.

Avoid lapses in therapy, and if PLAVIX must be temporarily discontinued, restart as soon as possible. Premature discontinuation of PLAVIX may increase the risk of cardiovascular events.

In patients with recent TIA or stroke who are at high risk for recurrent ischemic events, the combination of aspirin and PLAVIX has not been shown to be more effective than PLAVIX alone, but the combination has been shown to increase major bleeding.

TTP, sometimes fatal, has been reported following use of PLAVIX, sometimes after a short exposure (<2 weeks). TTP is a serious condition that requires urgent treatment including plasmapheresis (plasma exchange).

ADVERSE REACTIONS

Bleeding, including life-threatening and fatal bleeding, is the most commonly reported adverse reaction.

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Coadministering warfarin with PLAVIX increases the risk of bleeding.

Coadministration of PLAVIX and NSAIDs increases the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.

USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

Nursing mothers: Discontinue drug or nursing, taking into consideration importance of drug to mother.

Please see full prescribing information, including BOXED WARNING for the United States by visiting www.PLAVIX.com.

About Bristol-Myers Squibb

Bristol-Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information, please visit www.bms.com.

About sanofi-aventis

Sanofi-aventis, a leading global pharmaceutical company, discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions to improve the lives of everyone. Sanofi-aventis is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York (NYSE: SNY). For more information, please visit: www.sanofi-aventis.com.

Statement on Cautionary Factors

Sanofi-aventis

This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. These statements include projections and estimates and their underlying assumptions, statements regarding plans, objectives, intentions and expectations with respect to future financial results, events, operations, services, product development and potential and statements regarding future performance. Forward-looking statements are generally identified by the words “expects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “intends,” “estimates,” “plans” and similar expressions. Although sanofi-aventis’ management believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, investors are cautioned that forward-looking information and statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of sanofi-aventis, that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements. These risks and uncertainties include among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, future clinical data and analysis, including post marketing, decisions by regulatory authorities, such as the FDA or the EMA, regarding whether and when to approve any drug, device or biological application that may be filed for any such product candidates as well as their decisions regarding labelling and other matters that could affect the availability or commercial potential of such products candidates, the absence of guarantee that the products candidates if approved will be commercially successful, the future approval and commercial success of therapeutic alternatives, the Group’s ability to benefit from external growth opportunities as well as those discussed or identified in the public filings with the SEC and the AMF made by sanofi-aventis, including those listed under “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in sanofi-aventis’ annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2009. Other than as required by applicable law, sanofi-aventis does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information or statements.

Bristol-Myers Squibb

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, regarding the research, development and commercialization of pharmaceutical products. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and involve inherent risks and uncertainties, including factors that could delay, divert or change any of them, and could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from current expectations. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements in the press release should be evaluated together with the many uncertainties that affect Bristol-Myers Squibb's business, particularly those identified in the cautionary factors discussion in Bristol-Myers Squibb's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K. Bristol-Myers Squibb undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.



CONTACT:

Media:
Sanofi-aventis
Ingrid Görg-Armbrecht, + 33 1 53 77 46 25
[email protected]
or
Bristol-Myers Squibb
Tracy Furey, 609-252-3208
[email protected]
Laura Hortas, 609-252-4587
[email protected]
or
Investors:
Sanofi-aventis
Sébastien Martel, + 33 1 53 77 45 45
[email protected]
or
Bristol-Myers Squibb
John Elicker, 609-252-4611
[email protected]

KEYWORDS:   United States  Europe  North America  France  New York

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:   Health  Cardiology  Pharmaceutical  FDA

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