TOKYO (AFX) - Sanofi-Aventis SA hopes to double its sales in Japan in around three years and does not rule out acquisitions in the country, according to Jean-Francois Dehecq, the French drug maker's chief executive.
Speaking in Tokyo, Dehecq said Sanofi-Aventis does not have a sufficiently strong presence in the Japanese market and that the country will be a priority for the company over the next few years.
Last Wednesday, Sanofi-Aventis said it has agreed to accelerate its acquisition of the Japanese rights to rimonabant, a drug used in treating obesity and quitting smoking, from a joint venture the company has with Astellas Pharma Inc.
The company is planning to launch its blood-thinning product Plavix in Japan this year. newsdesk@afxnews.com afp/ak COPYRIGHT Copyright AFX News Limited 2005. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of AFX News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of AFX News. AFX News and AFX Financial News Logo are registered trademarks of AFX News Limited