sanofi-aventis reports earnings, updates pipeline

sanofi-aventis (Euronext:SAN; SNY) reported fourth quarter adjusted EPS of EUR 1.08, up 20% from EUR 0.90 in the same quarter in 2004. As reported last month, net sales were EUR 7 billion ($8.3 billion), up 5% from the prior year's quarter (see BioCentury Extra, Monday Jan. 30, 2006).

SAN reported full year adjusted EPS of EUR 4.74, up 25% from EUR 3.77 in 2004. This year's figures exclude EUR 988 million ($1.2 billion) in acquisition and restructuring charges related to the merger of Sanofi and Aventis in August 2004. As reported last month, full year sales rose 9% to EUR 27.3 billion ($32.3 billion). For 2006, SAN expects EPS growth of about 10%. ...