SAN FRANCISCO (AFX) -- Sanofi-Aventis and Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. said late Tuesday they have reached an agreement to settle pending patent litigation with Apotex Inc. and Apotex Corp. over clopidogrel bisulfate, which is used to prevent heart attacks and stroke. Sanofi and Bristol-Myers sell the drug in the United States under the name Plavix. As part of the settlement, Sanofi would grant Apotex a license to manufacture and sell clopidogrel bisulfate in the United States, and Apotex would agree not to sell it until the effective date of the license. The license would be exclusive, except for Plavix, and would be effective Sept. 17, 2011. The agreement includes other provisions, including potential payments to Apotex. This story was supplied by MarketWatch. For further information see www.marketwatch.com.