Bristol-Myers Squibb and Sanofi-Aventis face Plavix probe

Pharmaceutical giants Sanofi-Aventis and Bristol Myers-Squibb have been ordered to provide documents in an ongoing investigation into a previous patent agreement.

The federal trade commission has requested paperwork from both companies as part of its probe into a settlement made between the two firms and Apotex regarding the manufacture of a generic version of the heart treatment Plavix.

French healthcare group Sanofi-Aventis and New York-based Bristol Myers-Squibb co-market the original version of the drug and reached an agreement in 2006 with the Canadian enterprise in order to delay the manufacture of the generic form until a short time before its patent expires.

However, this settlement was later overruled by state authorities and has become the subject of an investigation by the commission, which has previously expressed concern that such agreements could lead to a poor deal for customers.

The dispute over the patent, which Apotex has claimed is invalid, was debated during a trial held in New York earlier this year and a ruling from the federal court judge is pending later in 2007.

Plavix is used to prevent against heart attacks, strokes and poor leg circulation as it reduces the risk of platelet clots.