Sanofi-aventis Stands Behind the Safety of Lantus(R)

BRIDGEWATER, N.J., June 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sanofi-aventis (EURONEXT:
SAN and NYSE: SNY) has just been made aware of data associated with a
retrospective follow-up of four patient registries. The results of these data
clearly show that no definitive conclusions can be drawn regarding a possible
causal relationship between Lantus(R) (insulin glargine [rDNA] injection) use
and the occurrence of malignancies, as the authors of the study point out.

Clinical studies, which represent the gold standard of evidence, do not
indicate an association between insulin glargine and cancer.

"Given the extensive clinical evidence covering over 70,000 patients and the
results of post-marketing surveillance arising from 24 million patient-years
of experience, sanofi-aventis stands behind the safety of Lantus(R)," said
Jean-Pierre Lehner, M.D., Chief Medical Officer. "We consider that the results
of these patient registries are not conclusive."

Patient safety is the primary concern of sanofi-aventis. The Group will
continue to vigorously monitor the safety of Lantus(R) in close collaboration
with regulatory agencies and scientific experts.

About Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic, widespread condition in which the body does not produce
or properly use insulin, the hormone needed to transport glucose (sugar) from
the blood into the cells of the body for energy. More than 230 million people
worldwide are living with the disease and this number is expected to rise to a
staggering 350 million within 20 years. It is estimated that nearly 24 million
Americans have diabetes, including an estimated 5.7 million who remain
undiagnosed. At the same time, approximately 40 percent of those diagnosed are
not achieving the blood sugar control target of HbA1c <7 percent recommended
by the ADA. The HbA1c test measures average blood glucose levels over the past
two- to three-month period.

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).

Forward Looking Statements
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Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Forward-looking
statements are statements that are not historical facts. These statements
include product development, product potential projections and estimates and
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Forward-looking statements are generally identified by the words "expects,"
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expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable,
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subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to
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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 among other things, the uncertainties
inherent in research and development, future clinical data and analysis,
including post marketing, decisions by regulatory authorities, such as the FDA
or the EMEA, regarding whether and when to approve any drug, device or
biological application that may be filed for any such product candidates as
well as their decisions regarding labelling and other matters that could
affect the availability or commercial potential of such products candidates,
the absence of guarantee that the products candidates if approved will be
commercially successful, the future approval and commercial success of
therapeutic alternatives as well as 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, 2008. Other than as required by applicable law,
sanofi-aventis does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking information or statements.

Contact: Lisa Buffington - sanofi-aventis, +1-908-981-6569,
lisa.buffington@sanofi-aventis.com

SOURCE sanofi-aventis

Lisa Buffington, sanofi-aventis, +1-908-981-6569,
lisa.buffington@sanofi-aventis.com