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Sanofi-aventis Press Release

Sanofi-aventis provides an R&D Pipeline update

- CHMP Positive opinion for DuoPlavin(r) in Cardiology

- FDA Fast Track designation with Rolling Submission obtained for Cabazitaxel in
Prostate Cancer

- Discontinuation of Development for Eplivanserin in Insomnia

- Discontinuation of Development for Idrabiotaparinux in Atrial Fibrillation

Paris, France - December 21, 2009 - Sanofi-aventis (EURONEXT: SAN and NYSE: SNY)
announced today an update of its R&D pipeline for four of its projects:
DuoPlavin(r) in cardiology, cabazitaxel in oncology, eplivanserin in insomnia
and idrabiotaparinux in thrombosis.

On December 17, 2009, the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP)
of the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) adopted a positive opinion, recommending
to grant a marketing authorisation for DuoPlavin(r), a new fixed combination of
clopidogrel hydrogen sulphate and acetylsalicylic acid. The drug is indicated
for prevention of atherothrombotic events in adult patients with acute coronary
syndrome who are already taking both clopidogrel and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA).
The benefit with DuoPlavin(r) is its simplification of treatment.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted a fast track designation
allowing a rolling submission of a New Drug Application (NDA) for cabazitaxel in
second-line prostate cancer. This rolling submission has already started. A
rolling submission is an FDA provision that allows for completed sections of a
New Drug Application to be submitted on an ongoing basis.

The primary endpoint of the Phase III TROPIC study, which was overall survival,
met statistical significance. The results of this study will be presented at the
next ASCO GU cancers congress (American Society of Clinical Oncology -
Genito-Urinary) in March 2010.

The company has ongoing discussions with the EMEA regarding the European Union
submission for cabazitaxel.

Further to the complete response letter issued by the FDA in September 2009, and
considering the needs for significant further clinical developments and market
access constraints, the eplivanserin submission dossier in insomnia will be
withdrawn in the United States and in Europe.

In the BOREALIS trial, idrabiotaparinux was developed for the prevention of
thromboembolic events in patients with atrial fibrillation. Considering recent
therapeutic advances in this field, this compound does not appear able to bring
significant improvement in the care of these patients. Therefore, the
development in this indication is discontinued.

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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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 their underlying
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management believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking
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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 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.

Sanofi-aventis www.sanofi-aventis.com
Media Relations: Tel. : (+) 33 1 53 77 44 50 - E-mail : MR@sanofi-aventis.com
Investor Relations : Tel. : (+) 33 1 53 77 45 45 - E-mail :
IR@sanofi-aventis.com

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