Sanofi-aventis Delivers 2008 Results Abov...( PARIS Feb. 11 /- .....),Health

PARIS, Feb. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --

                               FY 2008    % change     Q4 2008      % change
                               -------    --------     -------      --------
    Comparable net sales*:   EUR27,568m      +3.7%     EUR7,089m       +3.6%
    Adjusted net income
     excluding selected
    items(1):                 EUR7,186m      +3.2%     EUR1,627m      +13.9%
    Adjusted EPS excluding     EUR5.49       +6.2%      EUR1.25       +16.8%
    selected items(1):

In order to facilitate the understanding of the Group's operational performance, we comment adjusted income statement excluding selected items (1), a non-GAAP financial measure. 2008 fourth-quarter and full-year consolidated income statements are provided in appendix 4, as are details of adjustments and selected items. Consolidated net income for 2008 was EUR 3,851 million, compared with EUR 5,263 million in 2007, the decline being mainly due to an impairment charge of EUR 1,485 million taken against intangible assets related to the acquisition of Aventis.

2008 performance

• EPS(2) growth at constant euro/dollar exchange rates above guidance (up 11.2% against guidance of around 9%)
• Solid sales performance driven by Lantus(R) (up 27.7%), Taxotere(R) (up 13.2%), Lovenox(R) (up 10.6%), Plavix(R) (up 10.5%), Aprovel(R) (up 14.2%) and vaccines (up 9.6%)
• Successful launch of Pentacel(R) and filing for approval of Multaq(R) and Ciltyri(R) in the United States and Europe
• Growth ahead of the market in the United States, and double-digit growth in emerging markets and in Japan
• Continued improvement in operating ratios
• Net debt reduced to EUR 1.8 billion
• Proposed dividend of EUR 2.20 per share, payable April 28, 2009

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