In 2009, the global sanofi-aventis organization dedicated some 4.6 billion euros to research and development. Close to 19,000 research staff on three continents are involved in this important work. 

Sanofi-aventis possesses one of the richest and most innovative product portfolios in the world, with more than 65 therapies under development to treat conditions in seven therapeutic areas: cardiovascular disease, thrombosis, the central nervous system, oncology, diabetes, internal medicine and vaccines.

The Clinical Research Unit in Canada represents one of the largest within sanofi-aventis. At any given time, our clinical research teams oversee more than 110 clinical trials involving as many as 18,000 Canadians. 

These clinical trials are crucial in determining whether a particular drug is safe and effective, at which dosage, and any potential side effects. Only with all these data can regulatory approval (Health Canada’s “Notice of Compliance”) be obtained and the medicine made available to patients. Once a medicine is on the market, additional studies may be performed to learn more about the effectiveness and safety of the product in various patient groups. 

Clinical trials in Canada are most often cooperative projects involving many players, including the pharmaceutical industry, research granting councils and the medical community. They also need the approval of ethics committees and Canadian health authorities. When the studies are completed, the results are analyzed and published, preferably in peer-reviewed journals, to ensure that the data is accepted by the scientific community as valid research. 

Canada has an outstanding reputation for clinical research, an international standing built on consistently generating quality data necessary to properly evaluate a drug’s performance. The high level of medical expertise in Canada and the openness of investigative centres to clinical development make Canada attractive for sanofi-aventis’ clinical research operations.

In 2009, we invested $80.6 million in research and development  as part of our ongoing commitment as a responsible healthcare partner.

Anti-diabetic compound
A Phase III clinical trial program for AVE0010, a new injectable diabetes compound, started in May 2008 and is expected to involve more than 3,800 patients. This product can be administered alone or in addition to other anti-diabetic medications. In Canada, so far, 30 sites have been identified to participate in the clinical trials. Results are expected in mid-2010.

AVE5026 clinical trials in thrombosis
Sanofi-aventis is sponsoring several Phase III studies on an anti-thrombotic agent in patients requiring knee or hip surgery. Studies are set to take place in approximately 10 centres in Canada and the results should be available during the first quarter of 2010.

• The company has also committed funds to the British Columbia Cancer Agency, based in Vancouver, for research and clinical trials in prostate cancer.