Sanofi pasteur to License Single Dose Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine From Acambis

Lyon, France (ots/PRNewswire) -

- New Vaccine Will Help Improve Public Health in Japanese
Encephalitis Endemic Countries

Sanofi pasteur, the vaccines business of the sanofi-aventis Group,
announced today it has entered into an agreement with Acambis plc to
license a single dose vaccine against Japanese encephalitis (JE),
ChimeriVaxTM-JE, to help improve public health in endemic countries
of Asia Pacific, including Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia,
Indonesia, China, Japan, and parts of Australia.

Approximately 30,000 to 50,000 people suffer from Japanese
encephalitis annually, mainly in Asia (1). During a recent epidemic
in northern India and Nepal, Japanese encephalitis killed more than
1,000 people, most of them children (2).

"Sanofi pasteur will further contribute to the fight against a
devastating disease by bringing an innovative Japanese encephalitis
vaccine to endemic countries. We believe a single dose vaccine will
hold significant advantages for use in routine immunization programs
in a region where several billion people live," said Dave Williams,
Chief Executive Officer of sanofi pasteur.

Acambis has published positive data from its pivotal Phase 3
safety trial in October 2006. Clinical results show that
ChimeriVaxTM-JE vaccine requires only one dose for adequate
protection against Japanese encephalitis versus two to three doses
required with current JE vaccines.

"ChimeriVaxTM-JE has the potential to transform the use of JE
vaccines. Sanofi pasteur is a world leader in vaccines and, in our
view, the best partner for ChimeriVaxTM-JE. We are looking forward to
working with sanofi pasteur to ensure our vaccine reaches those who
need it," said Gordon Cameron, Chief Executive Officer of Acambis.

Acambis has established a large-scale manufacturing process at its
facility in Canton, MA, U.S., from which it will supply sanofi
pasteur with bulk vaccine.

Under the agreement, Acambis has granted sanofi pasteur marketing,
distribution and certain manufacturing rights to ChimeriVaxTM-JE
worldwide excluding India and the Indian subcontinent, and the U.S.
for which sanofi pasteur has an option. Sanofi pasteur plans to
introduce the new vaccine throughout the Asia Pacific region with
particular focus on the large endemic countries like Thailand and
China. Acambis will receive upfront and milestone payments totaling
up to EUR30 million following marketing authorization of
ChimeriVaxTM-JE in key endemic countries and in the European Union.
In addition, Acambis will receive royalties on sales and payment for
the supply of bulk ChimeriVaxTM-JE product.

About Japanese encephalitis

Japanese encephalitis is a disease caused by a flavivirus that
affects the membranes around the brain. Most JE virus infections are
mild (fever and headache) or without apparent symptoms, but
approximately 1 in 200 infections results in severe disease
characterized by rapid onset of high fever, headache, neck stiffness,
disorientation, coma, seizures, spastic paralysis and death. The case
fatality rate can be as high as 60% among those with disease
symptoms; 30% of those who survive suffer from lasting damage to the
central nervous system. In areas where the JE virus is common,
encephalitis occurs mainly in young children (1).

About sanofi-aventis

Sanofi-aventis is one of the world leaders in the pharmaceutical
industry, ranking number one in Europe. Backed by a world-class R&D
organisation, sanofi-aventis is developing leading positions in seven
major therapeutic areas: cardiovascular, thrombosis, oncology,
metabolic diseases, central nervous system, internal medicine and
vaccines. Sanofi-aventis is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in
New York (NYSE: SNY).

Sanofi pasteur, the vaccines business of the sanofi-aventis Group,
sold more than a billion doses of vaccine in 2006, making it possible
to protect more than 500 million people across the globe. The company
offers the broadest range of vaccines, providing protection against
20 bacterial and viral diseases. For more information, please visit:
www.sanofipasteur.com

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined
in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical
facts. These statements include financial projections and estimates
and their underlying assumptions, statements regarding plans,
objectives and expectations with respect to future events,
operations, products and services, and statements regarding future
performance. Forward-looking statements are generally identified by
the words "expect," "anticipates," "believes," "intends,"
"estimates," "plans" and similar expressions. Although
sanofi-aventis' management believes that the expectations reflected
in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, investors are
cautioned that forward-looking information and statements are subject
to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to
predict and generally beyond the control of sanofi-aventis, that
could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from
those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking
information and statements. These risks and uncertainties include
those discussed or identified in the public filings with the SEC and
the AMF made by sanofi-aventis, including those listed under "Risk
Factors" and "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements" in sanofi-aventis' annual report on Form 20-F for the
year ended December 31, 2005. Other than as required by applicable
law, sanofi-aventis does not undertake any obligation to update or
revise any forward-looking information or statements.

References

(1) WHO, Water Related Disease, Japanese Encephalitis
http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/diseases/encephalitis/en/

(2) WHO, Regional Office for South-East Asia, Immunization and
Vaccine Development, Japanese Encephalitis,
http://www.searo.who.int/en/section1226/section2073.asp

sanofi pasteur
Pascal Barollier
International Media Relations
Tel: +33-(0)4-37-37-51-41
pascal.barollier@sanofipasteur.com
sanofi pasteur
Len Lavenda
U.S. Media Relations
Tel: +1-570-839-4446
len.lavenda@sanofipasteur.com

ots Originaltext: sanofi-aventis Group
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
sanofi pasteur: Pascal Barollier, International Media Relations, Tel:
+33-(0)4-37-37-51-41, pascal.barollier@sanofipasteur.com. sanofi
pasteur: Len Lavenda, U.S. Media Relations, Tel: +1-570-839-4446,
len.lavenda@sanofipasteur.com


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