LibraGen and sanofi-aventis sign research partnership to identify new candidate molecules for treatment of infectious diseases and cancer

Pharmaceutical group will use LibraGen's innovative technology in field of non-cultivable micro-organisms

Toulouse, France, October 25, 2006 - LibraGen, a bacterial diversity-based process and discovery specialist, announces today it has signed a partnership agreement with sanofi-aventis covering the use of LibraGen's know-how in microbial biodiversity. The goal of this collaboration is the discovery of new chemical structures derived from non-cultivable micro-organisms.

The global partnership is split into two phases, the first of which is a pilot. If successful, this may give rise to a long term collaboration between LibraGen and sanofi-aventis. The two companies did not disclose the financial terms of the agreement which are based on milestones fees and royalties.

Initially, LibraGen will transfer to sanofi-aventis laboratory-extracted samples of existing non-cultivable micro-organisms. Sanofi-aventis will add these to its chemical library and thus access new unique compounds, produced under a reproducible process using LibraGen technology. Depending on their biological activity, these compounds may be selected either for optimization of their chemical structure via synthesis so as to enhance their properties, or for direct pharmaceutical development.

"We finalized this partnership after a lengthy due-diligence procedure by sanofi-aventis to check out LibraGen's know-how and the quality of our technology," said Renaud Nalin, CEO of LibraGen. "This contract strengthens LibraGen's position on the market and provides recognition of our know-how in identifying new active molecules and in producing high value-added molecules."

"LibraGen's technology allows us to build up our supply strategy for natural substances by giving us access to sources of new molecules that have been hitherto inaccessible," said Jean-Pierre Maffrand, director of discovery research at sanofi-aventis. "These molecules could well be essential for our research programs for new medicines."

A successful pilot phase will trigger a long term collaboration in which LibraGen will supply a large number of active extracts that have been qualified on antiinfectious or antiproliferative targets.

Sanofi-aventis will have the right to acquire and/or develop any of these molecules in return for the payment of milestones and royalties to LibraGen. The pharmaceutical group also holds exclusivity on part of the collection of original active extracts from LibraGen.

About LibraGen
LibraGen, Toulouse, France, specializes in the development of bioprocesses for the production of healthcare molecules and the discovery of new chemical scaffolds with cross-industry applications. By focusing on untapped biodiversity, the company has developed a platform of proven proprietary technologies to identify, validate and produce high added-value enzymes and molecules for industrial, pharmaceutical, chemical, cosmetic and environmental applications. The overall combination of LibraGen's scientific and production know-how, technology platform and research results has already achieved a number of successful partnerships in research and production in the fields of cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and fine chemistry. In parallel with these partnerships with leading pharma companies, LibraGen's internal research is building up a pipeline of new active molecules with anti-infectious and anti-cancer applications.
For more information, visit http://www.libragen.com

About sanofi-aventis
Sanofi-aventis is the world's third largest pharmaceutical company, ranking number one in Europe. Backed by a world-class R&D organization, sanofi-aventis is developing leading positions in seven major therapeutic areas: cardiovascular, thrombosis, oncology, metabolic diseases, central nervous system, internal medicine, and vaccines. Sanofi-aventis is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York (NYSE: SNY).
For more information, visit http://www.sanofi-aventis.com

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Andrew Lloyd & Associates
Andrew Lloyd / Neil Hunter
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