Market share discussions killed Sanofi-Merck JV

Sanofi-Aventis plans to cut costs and expand its animal health business through acquisitions as it fully integrates Merial after the collapse of its longstanding joint venture with Merck of the US. As of Friday 6, May, Sanofi-Aventis shareholders approved a name change. From now on the company is known as Sanofi.

Chris Viehbacher, chief executive of the French pharmaceutical group, told the Financial Times there was scope for “synergy” in back office operations, manufacturing, marketing, and research and development. He said the failure of the partnership meant Sanofi-Aventis would seek new takeover targets in animal health and plan to grow, notably in emerging markets where animal health sales contributed a smaller proportion than other divisions in the group. Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Global Miller, which is published and supported by the GFMT Magazine and International Milling Directory from Perendale Publishers