Sanofi-Aventis says patient safety is important

Sanofi-Aventis considers patient safety to be a primary concern, it has stated.

The company made this comment after data was published regarding a follow-up of four patient registries.

According to the authors of the study, there was no definitive conclusion linking a possible relationship between Lantus (insulin glargine) use and the occurrence of malignancies.

It was further noted there were no clear links between the drug and cancer.

Dr Jean-Pierrre Lehner, chief medical officer of the business, asserted the firm does not consider the results to be conclusive.

“Given the extensive clinical evidence covering over 70,000 patients and the results of post-marketing surveillance ? Sanofi-Aventis stands behind the safety of Lantus,” he commented.

The firm promised it would continue to vigorously monitor the safety of the drug in collaboration with scientific experts and regulatory agencies.

Meanwhile, Christian Lajoux has been appointed president of the company in France.

He has been promoted from his position as president and general manager of the firm’s French pharmaceutical operations.