Sanofi-Aventis merger review

The Federal Trade Commission issues "second request" for information on the proposed merger of Sanofi-Synthelabo and Aventis. The request does not focus on marketed products, but could involve R&D projects, Sanofi said. In anticipation of the merger, Sanofi has agreed to sell GlaxoSmithKline Arixtra and Fraxiparine, acute thrombosis treatments which compete with Aventis' Lovenox. Sanofi said the merger will still be able to close in the second quarter. Aventis agreed to the merger after Sanofi sweetened its offer (1"The Pink Sheet" May 3, 2004, p. 3). Sanofi described the second request as "standard practice when investigating a friendly transaction of this significance"...