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Boost in output of antivirals to treat swine flu benefits drug firms
Thursday 30 April 2009
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/apr/30/swine-flu-drugs-glaxosmithkline-roche

Drugs firms led by GlaxoSmithKline and Swiss group Roche have seen a jump in their share
prices as they rush to crank up production of the few antiviral drugs shown to have been effective
in the treatment of the new deadly strain of swine flu.

Governments around the world have been in contact with those specialist firms known to have
expertise in the production of drugs to treat the flu virus and in the development vaccines to
prevent its spread. They are keen to shore up stockpiles and prepare for a surge in vaccination
demands in the northern hemisphere this winter.

Top of their list has been Glaxo, which has seen its share price leap 8% since the World Health
Organisation declared outbreaks of swine flu in the US and Mexico over the weekend to have
become a "public health emergency of international concern".

The British company is urgently looking to increase production of Relenza, one of two anitviral
treatments found to be effective against the new flu strain. Glaxo has been in talks with the WHO,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the health department in the US, and the
government of Mexico.

Since the start of the outbreak, Glaxo has supplied 100,000 packs of Relenza, an inhaled drug, and
170,000 additional doses of its seasonal flu vaccine to the Mexican authorities at their request.

Also besieged with requests is Swiss firm Roche which makes the antiviral pill Tamiflu. The
company has pledged to use its "rapid response stockpile" as directed by the WHO, though no
request has been made yet.

Several drug firms with expertise in developing vaccines have been in touch with the WHO
requesting samples of the virus in order to begin work on a preventative. French firm Sanofi-
Aventis said it was "ready to work" with international health officials when asked. Chicago-based
Baxter International has asked the WHO for samples, but none have arrived yet.

Companies producing face masks are boosting production to meet a surge in demand. Kimberley
Clark said it had increased production and would not run out of stock. "We are closely monitoring
our inventory, and have increased production ... in order to minimise potential disruptions in our
ability to meet customer demand."

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 1.6 billion
doses of vaccine in 2008, 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.