March 10, 2005

IN BRIEF: SANOFI-AVENTIS GROUP

Sanofi-aventis Group's vaccine division, sanofi pasteur, received approval from the Food and Drug Administration to market a new formulation of the pediatric influenza vaccine Fluzone that contains no preservatives. Pharma brand Fluzone is the only influenza vaccine approved for use in children aged 6 to 35 months, sanofi-aventis stated. The original formulation was said to introduce no preservatives at any stage of the manufacturing process, but was later found to contain trace amounts of the preservative thimerosal. The new formulation will be available for the 2005-2006 influenza season, the company said.