sanofi-aventis reorganizing R&D

sanofi-aventis S.A. (Euronext:SAN; NYSE:SNY) said it is reorganizing its R&D model to increase innovation. The company said it will reorganize researchers into independent units around therapeutic areas. A sanofi-aventis spokesperson said that the units are expected to create partnerships with public and private research groups, academic institutions and biotech companies.

sanofi-aventis also said it plans to consolidate its discovery and preclinical activities. In France, it will reduce its facilities to nine from 14, including the divestment of its research facility in Porcheville, France. Outside France, the company will merge its two Japanese facilities into one, its two Spanish facilities into one, and potentially divest its U.K. facility. In the U.S., the sanofi-aventis spokesperson said, some of the pharma's R&D activities at its Great Valley facility in Malvern, Penn., will be merged into the company's Bridgewater, N.J., unit. ...