- Merial Animal Health Co. (China) Breaks Ground for Nanchang Plant'sExpansion Project -
Merial, the Animal Health division of the sanofi-aventis Group (EURONEXT:SAN and NYSE: SNY), announced today that Merial Animal Health Co. (China)held a ground-breaking ceremony for an expansion project at its plant locatedin the Nanchang Hi-tech Development Zone, China. Merial Animal Health Co.(China), a venture of Merial Limited and the Group's first productionfacility in China has been in operation for almost 20 years.
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The facility in Nanchang produces poultry vaccines for the domesticChinese market. Upon completion of the expansion project, which earmarks anestimated total investment of over 70 million US dollars, the productioncapacity of the Nanchang plant will double. The new facility covers a land of50,000 square meters, with a phase I floor area of nearly 30,000 squaremeters.
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"Merial has been operating with our partners in China for nearly 20years," declared Jose Barella, Executive Chairman of Merial. "During thattime, we have been proud to have joined our Chinese partner organizations inenhancing the quantity and quality of poultry protein to meet theever-increasing demand by consumers here. Now, with the establishment of thisnew state-of-the-art facility, we have the ability to further apply thelatest in modern avian vaccine technology and further contribute to thecountry's production of poultry protein, and help feed a vibrant and modernChina. We hope that this milestone in our growing relationship with China isa symbol of our commitment to this market, and an indication of our desire tofurther expand our operations in the future."
The expansion project is expected to extend Merial's leadership in Chinain terms of high-quality vaccine offerings as well as sales, technicalsupport and logistics, and positions Merial as a truly trusted partner forChinese customers and veterinary professionals for business excellence.
About Merial
Merial Limited was established in 1997, and is now a wholly-ownedsubsidiary of sanofi-aventis. Merial is a world-leading, innovation-drivenanimal health company, providing a comprehensive range of products to enhancethe health, well-being and performance of a wide range of animals. Merialemploys approximately 5,700 people and operates in more than 150 countriesworldwide. The company's revenue in 2008 was over 2.6 billion US dollars. Formore information, please see www.merial.com
About sanofi-aventis
Sanofi-aventis, a leading global pharmaceutical company, discovers,develops and distributes therapeutic solutions to improve the lives ofeveryone. Sanofi-aventis is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York(NYSE: SNY).
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined in thePrivate Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Forward-lookingstatements are statements that are not historical facts. These statementsinclude financial projections and estimates and their underlying assumptions,statements regarding plans, objectives, intentions and expectations withrespect to future events, operations, products and services, and statementsregarding future performance. Forward-looking statements are generallyidentified by the words "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "intends,""estimates," "plans" and similar expressions. Although sanofi-aventis'management believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-lookingstatements are reasonable, investors are cautioned that forward-lookinginformation and statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties,many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control ofsanofi-aventis, that could cause actual results and developments to differmaterially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, theforward-looking information and statements. These risks and uncertaintiesinclude those discussed or identified in the public filings with the SEC andthe AMF made by sanofi-aventis, including those listed under "Risk Factors"and "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" insanofi-aventis' annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31,2008. Other than as required by applicable law, sanofi-aventis does notundertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking informationor statements.
Philip Connolly of Merial, +44(0)12-79-77-58-46, [email protected]; or Jean-Marc Podvin of Sanofi-aventis, +33(0)1-53-77-42-23, [email protected]
