Sanofi-Aventis reports ‘significant pipeline progress’

Sanofi-Aventis has published an update to its research and development pipeline, with the firm reporting “significant progress” in a number of fields.

The company has noted major progress in areas including thrombosis, diabetes, cardiovascular, central nervous system, oncology and vaccines.

In thrombosis, Sanofi-Aventis projects that phase IIb results suggest AVE5026 could provide a potential successor to Lovenox, while biotinylated idraparinux could offer patients an alternative to antivitamin K.

Sanofi-Aventis has reported positive clinical trial results in its vaccines department, with progress made in the development of products to protect against the contraction of seasonal flu, meningococcal meningitis, dengue and H5N1 flu.

Research efforts in cardiovascular, oncology and diabetes have also seen progress, with positive clinical trial results for a number of pharmaceutical products and encouragement from new approaches in these areas.

The company predicts “important clinical results and 31 potential submissions by the end of 2010”, with “a well-balanced portfolio between our major therapeutic areas.”

Additionally, Sanofi-Aventis reports that it currently has 48 projects in advanced stages of clinical development, with these trials at phase IIb or phase III.

Last month, Sanofi-Aventis reported its financial results for the second quarter of 2007, with the company recording “solid” results, with a 2.3 increase in net sales on a comparable basis to 6,939 million euros (4,682 million pounds).