Lovenox sales decline
sanofi-aventis Group (Euronext:SAN; NYSE:SNY) said third quarter sales of Lovenox enoxaparin fell 26% to EUR 537 million ($732 million) compared to 3Q09 due to generic competition for the anticoagulant. Last week, Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS; SIX:NOVN) reported $292 million in 3Q10 sales for its generic version of enoxaparin, which the pharma launched in the quarter with partner Momenta Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:MNTA). sanofi also reported adjusted 3Q10 EPS of EUR 1.89, down 2% at constant exchange rates from EUR 1.74 in the prior year's quarter. Net sales slipped 2% at constant exchange rates to EUR 7.8 billion ($10.6 billion). sanofi updated its full-year guidance and now expects EPS growth of 0-2% at constant exchange rates compared to 2009, up from previous expectations of stable to down 4%.
The pharma disclosed that venous thromboembolism (VTE) candidate semuloparin missed the primary endpoint of non-inferiority to Lovenox on any VTE and all-cause mortality in the Phase III SAVE-ABDO trial in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery. Semuloparin is a dual inhibitor of Factor IIa and Xa. ...