News Release

1st EMEA application filed for product using innovative intradermal microinjection system BD Soluvia

Novel influenza vaccine delivered using BD's innovative technology

Business Announcement

Ruder Finn Public Relations

Franklin Lakes, NJ, USA (February 13, 2008) -- Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of sanofi-aventis Group, has submitted the first application in Europe to deliver a vaccine using BD Soluviaä, the innovative microinjection system developed by BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company). The submission for the first influenza vaccine using BD Soluvia has been accepted for review by the European Medicines Agency (EMEA).

Sanofi Pasteur conducted clinical trials on more than 7000 subjects to evaluate safety and the ability to generate an immune response of the novel intradermal (ID) influenza vaccine. Compared with intramuscular (IM) injection, ID delivery was shown to be especially effective in enhancing the immune response in the elderly1,2. Independently, BD conducted clinical trials involving more than 700 subjects and 3500 injections with BD Soluvia, and demonstrated that the system was safe and easy to use.3. Clinical testing showed that the BD microneedle is barely perceptible when it enters the skin and ensures the administration of the injected solution to the dermal layer irrespective of the subject ¦s gender, age, ethnicity and body mass.4

BD Soluvia is a prefillable microinjection system that is integrated with a tiny BD microneedle. It has been proven to offer a simple, reliable method of delivery. While most vaccines are injected into the muscle, the BD microneedle allows the vaccine to be accurately delivered intradermally -- within the dermal layer of the skin. The dermal layer contains a dense network of lymphatic vessels feeding local lymph nodes, resulting in rapid and efficient access of the vaccine into the immune system. It also contains a high concentration of potent immune cells that play a key role to initiate the immune response following vaccination.

BD is committed to developing innovative solutions to advance drug delivery with pharmaceutical companies, and to meet the needs of healthcare professionals, ¨ said Philippe Laurent, Vice President, Medical Affairs, BD Medical V Pharmaceutical Systems. The BD Soluvia microinjection system is a breakthrough technology that is intuitive to use and allows accurate and consistent delivery of substances such as the flu vaccine into the dermal layer. We believe it has the potential to help address some of the important health challenges facing the world today, and embodies BD ¦s purpose of helping all people live healthy lives. ¨

We are delighted to have reached this landmark in development with our partner, sanofi pasteur, ¨ said Alex Conroy, President, BD Medical - Pharmaceutical Systems. In practical terms, the BD Soluvia microinjection system has the potential to increase patients ¦ acceptance of injections and enhance immunization practices. BD is deeply committed to continuing the development of BD Soluvia for the intradermal route of administration for use with infectious disease and emerging cancer vaccines. ¨

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About BD
BD, a leading global medical technology company that manufactures and sells medical devices, instrument systems and reagents, is dedicated to improving people ¦s health throughout the world.  BD is focused on improving drug therapy, enhancing the quality and speed of diagnosing infectious diseases, and advancing research and discovery of new drugs and vaccines. The Company ¦s capabilities are instrumental in combating many of the world ¦s most pressing diseases. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, BD employs approximately 28,000 people in approximately 50 countries throughout the world. The Company serves healthcare institutions, life science researchers, clinical laboratories, industry and the general public. For more information, please visit www.bd.com.

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).

Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of sanofi-aventis Group, provided more than a billion doses of vaccine in 2006, making it possible to immunize more than 500 million people across the globe. A world leader in the vaccine industry, sanofi pasteur offers the broadest range of vaccines protecting against 20 infectious diseases. The company's heritage, to create vaccines that protect life, dates back more than a century. Sanofi Pasteur is the largest company entirely dedicated to vaccines. Every day, the company invests more than EUR1 million in research and development. For more information, please visit: www.sanofipasteur.com or www.sanofipasteur.us

References

  1. 1 Booy R; Weber F; Saville M. Immunogenicity of a novel influenza vaccine delivered by intradermal microinjection in over 60 year-olds. Options for the control of Influenza VI. Toronto, Canada, June 2007
  2. I. Leroux-Roels, Center for Vaccinology, Belgium; G. Leroux-Roels, Center for Vaccinology, Belgium; D. Holland, Centre for Clinical Research and Effective Practice, New Zealand; R. Booy, National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, Australia; F Weber, sanofi pasteur, France; M Saville, sanofi pasteur, France. Intradermal influenza vaccination offers superior immunogenicity compared with conventional vaccine in the elderly, and is safe after two annual vaccinations in adults, Poster: Vaccine Congress in Amsterdam, December 2007
  3. Laurent P, et al. Evaluation of the clinical performance of a new intradermal vaccine administration technique and associated delivery system. Vaccine. 2007;25; 8833-8842
  4. Laurent A, et al. Echographic measurement of skin thickness in adults by high frequency ultrasound to assess the appropriate microneedle length for intradermal delivery of vaccines. Vaccine. 2007;25:6423-30


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