Sanofi Pasteur to Donate 60 Million Doses of H5N1 Vaccine to WHO Over 3 Years for its Influenza Vaccine Global Stockpile

Lyon, France and Swiftwater, Pennsylvania (ots/PRNewswire) -
Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of sanofi-aventis Group,
announced today its commitment to donate 60 million doses of H5N1
vaccine to the World Health Organization (WHO) over 3 years for the
establishment of an H5N1 vaccine global stockpile.

"The H5N1 virus is currently circulating in some of the poorest
regions of the world and an outbreak of pandemic influenza would most
likely hit populations living in areas with limited access to
vaccines. This donation of H5N1 vaccine aims to address the needs of
those most vulnerable populations," said Wayne Pisano, President and
Chief Executive Officer of sanofi pasteur. "In addition to supporting
the efforts of governments, it is essential that industry
collaborates with international organizations such as WHO, the Bill
and Melinda Gates Foundation and other global health players. This is
the best way to build a stockpile of vaccines for developing nations,
ready to be deployed on the ground in the event of a pandemic flu
outbreak," added Pisano.

Sanofi Pasteur's leadership position in developing and producing
influenza vaccines places the company at the forefront of readiness
against the threat of pandemic influenza. The company is committed to
addressing current and future public health needs by investing in a
robust research and development program and in an ambitious seasonal
and pandemic influenza vaccine production plan.

Each year since 2004, sanofi pasteur produced millions of doses
of H5N1 avian influenza vaccine, both in France and in the United
States. In April 2007, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
licensed sanofi pasteur's H5N1 vaccine, the first avian influenza
vaccine for humans in the U.S.

Sanofi Pasteur recently conducted clinical trials with a novel,
proprietary adjuvant aimed at dramatically reducing the amount of
antigen needed to elicit a protective immune response to the H5N1
strain currently identified by global health authorities and experts
as a potential source for the next pandemic. These data show the
ability of this new investigational H5N1 pandemic influenza vaccine
to generate a high immune response with a very low dose of H5N1
antigen.

Sanofi Pasteur is committed to producing as many doses as
possible of its most advanced vaccine in the shortest possible
timeframe should a pandemic be declared by WHO. Under such
circumstances, sanofi pasteur's seasonal influenza vaccine facilities
would globally be able to switch to pandemic vaccine manufacturing.

Sanofi Pasteur recently completed the construction of a new
influenza vaccine manufacturing facility in the United States,
incorporating the latest technology in vaccine production. This new
facility is planned to go online in 2009. Sanofi Pasteur is also on
track to build a facility to manufacture seasonal influenza vaccine
in China for the local market. This vaccine manufacturing facility is
due to be operational by 2012. A new formulation and filling facility
located in France is also planned to become operational in 2009. This
new state-of-the-industry facility will boost sanofi pasteur's
filling capabilities.

With the production of 180-million doses of seasonal influenza
vaccine last year, sanofi pasteur confirmed its leadership by
supplying an estimated 40 percent of the world influenza vaccine
market(1).

Reference: 1. Data based on internal estimates

Pandemic Influenza Overview

Influenza is a disease caused by a highly infectious virus that
spreads easily from person to person, primarily when an infected
individual coughs or sneezes. An influenza pandemic is a global
epidemic of an especially virulent virus, newly infectious for
humans, and for which there is no preexisting immunity. This is why
pandemic strains have such potential to cause severe morbidity and
mortality. The H5N1 viral strain has been identified by global health
authorities as being a potential cause of a pandemic. In an attempt
to minimize the impact of a pandemic, many countries are developing
national and transnational plans against a possible influenza
pandemic situation. According to the World Health Organization (WHO),
there have been 383 cases of avian influenza transmitted to humans
since 2003, with 241 resulting in death.

Sanofi Pasteur and Pandemic Preparedness

Sanofi Pasteur is committed to global pandemic preparedness. As
the world leader in research, development and manufacturing of
influenza vaccines, sanofi pasteur is involved in pandemic
preparedness projects worldwide, with the goal of developing a
vaccine to protect against a pandemic influenza virus. Sanofi Pasteur
is also investing in major expansions of its seasonal influenza
vaccine production facilities in the U.S. and France, which could be
used to produce pandemic influenza vaccine if the need arises. For
more information please visit http://pandemic.influenza.com.

About sanofi-aventis

Sanofi-aventis, a leading global pharmaceutical company,
discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions to improve
the lives of everyone. Sanofi-aventis is listed in Paris (EURONEXT:
SAN) and in New York (NYSE: SNY).

Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of sanofi-aventis Group,
provided more than a 1.6 billion doses of vaccine in 2007, making it
possible to immunize more than 500 million people across the globe. A
world leader in the vaccine industry, sanofi pasteur offers the
broadest range of vaccines protecting against 20 infectious diseases.
The company's heritage, to create vaccines that protect life, dates
back more than a century. Sanofi Pasteur is the largest company
entirely dedicated to vaccines. Every day, the company invests more
than EUR1 million in research and development. For more information,
please visit: http://www.sanofipasteur.com or
http://www.sanofipasteur.us

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined
in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended.
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, intentions 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 "expects," "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, 2007. Other than as required by applicable
law, sanofi-aventis does not undertake any obligation to update or
revise any forward-looking information or statements.

http://www.sanofipasteur.com

http://www.sanofipasteur.us

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

Contact:
Global Media Relations: Pascal Barollier, T. +33(0)4-37-37-50-38,
pascal.barollier@sanofipasteur.com; US Media Relations: Len Lavenda,
T. +1-570-839-4446, Len.lavenda@sanofipasteur.com