Sanofi Announces Court Ruling Granting Preliminary Injunction Against Synvisc-One® Competitor Product

BRIDGEWATER, N.J., Jan. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Sanofi US today announced that the U. S. District Court in Massachusetts granted the company a preliminary injunction against a Synvisc-One^® (hylan G-F 20) competitor product developed by Seikagaku Corporation. The ruling allows for a restricted launch of Seikagaku's product prior to a scheduled trial date in April, and prohibits Seikagaku from selling their product below the current average sales price for Synvisc-One.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110616/NY20158LOGO )

In its recent ruling, the Court found that Seikagaku was not likely to prevail at trial, which will focus on U.S. Patent 7,931,030.

"We are pleased that the Court recognized the strength of our '030 patent, which protects Genzyme's Synvisc-One^® franchise," said Alison Lawton, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Sanofi's Biosurgery business. "We are also pleased that the Court took decisive steps to protect the market position that Genzyme earned through its research and development and product innovation."

Synvisc-One^® has been the only single-injection viscosupplement for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) knee pain on the U.S. market since it was launched in the first quarter of 2009.  The market for such treatments is large, growing and underpenetrated; of the estimated 9 million eligible OA patients in the United States, only about 14 percent are currently treated with viscosupplements.

Sanofi's Biosurgery business, which markets a variety of products globally in the areas of osteoarthritis, postoperative adhesion prevention, and cell therapy, is focused on transforming disease management through innovative medical interventions.  It became part of Sanofi following the company's acquisition of Genzyme Corporation in 2011.

About Sanofi

Sanofi, a global and diversified healthcare leader, discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions focused on patients' needs. Sanofi has core strengths in the field of healthcare with seven growth platforms: diabetes solutions, human vaccines, innovative drugs, rare diseases, consumer healthcare, emerging markets and animal health. Sanofi is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York (NYSE: SNY).

Sanofi is the holding company of a consolidated group of subsidiaries and operates in the United States as Sanofi US, also referred to as Sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC. For more information on Sanofi US, please visit http://www.sanofi.us or call 1-800-981-2491.

Contacts:

US Communications
Kim Fox
+1-908-981-4851
[email protected]

Investor Relations
Sebastien Martel
+ 33 153-774-543
[email protected]

SOURCE Sanofi