Sanofi-aventis is a pharmaceutical group engaged in the research, development, manufacture and marketing of healthcare products. The company's business includes two main activities: pharmaceuticals (prescription drugs) and human vaccines. In its pharmaceutical activity, sanofi-aventis specialises in six therapeutic areas: cardiovascular, thrombosis, metabolic disorders, oncology, central nervous system (CNS) and internal medicine. In 2004, Sanofi-Synthélabo merged with Aventis, and the company's name changed to sanofi-aventis.

Strengths:

• reasonable measures to increase access to medicines (ATM) in developing countries

• comprehensive policy on responsible marketing and data protection

• reasonable R&D programmes aimed at orphan drugs for developing country diseases

• reasonable measures to ensure biological safety and facility safety

• comprehensive and binding supplier standards regarding labour/health and safety issues

Weaknesses:

The company has a comprehensive programme for improving access to medicines in developing countries. The program focuses on six diseases which are common in developing countries, including malaria, tuberculosis and sleeping sickness.  The Access to Medicines Division which was set up for the purposes of this programme coordinates work in the following areas: research and development of medicines, the development of new treatment strategies and the communication of information to people affected by the diseases.