Aventis

Aventis

Aventis was a major pharmaceutical company that was formed in 1999 through the merger of the French company Rhône-Poulenc and the German company Hoechst AG. It was headquartered in Strasbourg, France. Aventis was one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world until it merged with Sanofi in 2004 to form Sanofi-Aventis, which later became known simply as Sanofi.

History

Formation

Aventis was created in December 1999 as a result of the merger between Rhône-Poulenc and Hoechst AG. This merger was part of a trend of consolidation in the pharmaceutical industry during the late 1990s and early 2000s, as companies sought to increase their research and development capabilities and expand their global reach.

Merger with Sanofi

In 2004, Aventis merged with Sanofi-Synthélabo, another major French pharmaceutical company, to form Sanofi-Aventis. This merger created one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world, with a strong presence in both the European and North American markets.

Products

Aventis was known for a wide range of pharmaceutical products, including:

• Lovenox (enoxaparin sodium) - an anticoagulant used to prevent and treat deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.
• Allegra (fexofenadine) - an antihistamine used to treat allergy symptoms.
• Taxotere (docetaxel) - a chemotherapy medication used to treat various types of cancer.
• Actonel (risedronate sodium) - used to treat and prevent osteoporosis.

Research and Development

Aventis invested heavily in research and development, focusing on areas such as oncology, cardiology, and metabolic diseases. The company operated several research facilities around the world and collaborated with various academic institutions to advance its drug discovery efforts.

Corporate Structure

Aventis was organized into several business units, each focusing on different therapeutic areas. The company also had a strong presence in the generics market through its subsidiary, Aventis Pharma.

Legacy

The merger of Aventis with Sanofi-Synthélabo to form Sanofi-Aventis marked the end of Aventis as an independent entity. However, the legacy of Aventis lives on through the continued success of its products and the ongoing research efforts of Sanofi.

See Also

• Sanofi
• Rhône-Poulenc
• Hoechst AG
• Pharmaceutical industry

References

• Sanofi - Our History
• Pharmaceutical Technology - The Top Ten Pharmaceutical Companies in 2004