Sanofi and Astellas Pharma have agreed to dissolve Sanofi-aventis Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Inc., a joint company of the two companies. Sanofi-aventis Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Inc. was founded in 1986 and its shares are currently owned by a subsidiary of Sanofi (for the 51%) and Astellas (for the 49%). The joint venture had the exclusive rights to manufacture and distribute the cardiovascular agent Milrila (milrinone) created by Sanofi in Japan.
Astellas had been given the rights to manufacture and distribute the drug. However, effective January 1, 2012, Sanofi Aventis USA directly granted Astellas the rights to exclusively manufacture and distribute Milrila in Japan, without involving the joint company. As a result of this change, the joint venture no longer has products to manage and for this reason Sanofi and Astellas have decided to dissolve it.
March 2, 2012 – PharmaKronos
