Businessweek

Sanofi, a global pharmaceutical company, engages in the research, development, manufacture, and marketing of healthcare products. Strategy The company’s strategy is to offer an integrated set of businesses within the healthcare space with opportunities to create synergies across activities both upstream and research and development level and downstream in the market place; regularly review its research and development portfolio to improve the allocation of its resources; seizing value-enhancing growth opportunities; and adapting its structure for future opportunities and challenges. Operations The company’s operations include three main activities: Pharmaceuticals; Human Vaccines through Sanofi Pasteur; and Animal Health products through Merial Limited (Merial). PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS Main Pharmaceutical Products The company, within its Pharmaceuticals business, focuses on the following areas: diabetes, rare diseases, multiple sclerosis (MS), and oncology. The company also has primary products in such fields as anti-thrombotics, cardiovascular, renal and biosurgery and has developed businesses in Consumer Health Care and generics. Diabetes The company’s principal diabetes products are Lantus, a long-acting analog of human insulin; Apidra, a rapid-acting analog of human insulin; Insuman, a human insulin; and Amaryl, a sulfonylurea. In 2011, in European markets, the company launched the BGStar solution range of blood glucose meters for patients with diabetes, whether they are treated with insulin or not. In February 2013, the European Commission granted marketing authorisation in Europe for Lyxumia, a once-daily prandial GLP-1 receptor agonist. Lantus: Lantus (insulin glargine) is a long-acting analog of human insulin, offering improved pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles. Lantus is indicated for once-daily subcutaneous administration in the treatment of adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who require basal insulin for the control of hyperglycemia, and for adult and pediatric patients aged two years (label extension for pediatric use was granted in the EU in 2012) and above with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Lantus can be administered subcutaneously using syringes or specific pens, including Lantus SoloSTAR is a pre-filled disposable pen available in approximately 120 countries worldwide. It is the disposable pen that combines a low injection force, up to 80 units per injection, and ease-of-use; ClikSTAR is a reusable insulin pen approved in 2009 in the European Union and Canada. It is available in approximately30 countries worldwide; and AllSTAR is the re-usable insulin pen developed especially for people with diabetes in emerging markets, indicated for use with Sanofi's insulin portfolio. AllSTAR is available in India. Lantus is available in approximately 120 countries worldwide. ORIGIN ORIGIN was a seven-year randomized clinical trial designed to assess the effects of treatment with insulin glargine versus standard care on cardiovascular outcomes. Sanofi is sponsoring a 2-year extension to ORIGIN, called ORIGINALE (Outcome Reduction with an Initial Glargine Intervention and Legacy Effect). Apidra Apidra (insulin glulisine) is a rapid-acting analog of human insulin. Apidra is indicated for the treatment of adults with type 1 diabetes, or in type 2 diabetes for supplementary glycemic control. Apidra has an onset and shorter duration of action than fast-acting human insulin and can be in combination with long-acting insulins, such as Lantus for supplementary glycemic control at mealtime. In addition, Apidra is equally effective in adult diabetics ranging from lean to obese. Apidra can be administered subcutaneously using syringes or specific pens, including the Apidra SoloSTAR disposable pen and the ClikSTAR reusable pen. Apidra is available in approximately 100 countries worldwide. After a temporary shortage of Apidra 3mL cartridges (including Apidra SoloSTAR) in 2011 which impacted supplies in some markets, production of Apidra 3mL cartridges returned to full capacity in the first half of 2012. Insuman Insuman (human insulin) is a range of insulin soluti