Caisse Des Depots Et Consignations, Sanofi-Aventis (France) Sign Memorandum of Understanding for Caisse Des Depots Investment in Biocitech SAS Life Science Technology Park

Romainville, May 6, 2011. sanofi-aventis and France’s Caisse des Dépôts announce today that the Caisse des Depots will acquire an interest in the Paris-based Biocitech life sciences technology park. Biocitech plays a key role in the development of the biotechnology industry in the department of Seine-Saint-Denis and the Greater Paris region.

The Caisse des Depots will purchase its shareholding in Biocitech SAS as part of a capital increase and share buyback operation. It represents an important step in the development of Biocitech, giving it additional resources for helping the 27 companies installed on its campus to develop their activities and enabling it to accommodate new firms. The Caisse des Depots is a public group acting as a long term investor to serve general French interest and the economic development of the country.

“The agreement between the Caisse des Depots and sanofi-aventis provides for the construction of a first series of new laboratories covering a total area of 10,000 sq m, as part of a program for installing 35,000 sq m of new laboratory space over the next ten years,” said the regional director of the Caisse des Depots, Patrick Francois. “It will consolidate the guiding role played by Biocitech in the biotechnology sector.”

Biocitech was created as a result of the commitment given by Aventis – which has since become sanofi-aventis – in 2002 to pilot an ambitious industrial conversion of the Romainville site following the transfer of its Paris region research-and-development operations. “This commitment made it possible to transform our Romainville research-and-development center into an internationally-recognized technology park in partnership with local communities,” explained sanofi-aventis’ vice-president for public and government affairs in France, Philippe Tcheng. “Through this initiative, sanofi-aventis, France’s leading pharmaceutical company, confirms its determination to act as a responsible partner, not only at the industrial and social, but also the environmental level and to help create new employment opportunities in the Romainville basin.”

About Biocitech

The Biocitech technology park for life sciences offers a world-class environment and services for the development of biotechnology, biopharmaceutical and fine chemical companies. Biocitech is on the outskirts of Paris, only 20 minutes from the city center and Charles de Gaulle airport. It is privately-owned and provides secure premises and comprehensive facilities based on the latest technology. It has received regulatory approval for conformity to environmental protection standards. Companies can use one or many of the services offered. These include offices, laboratories and a range of technical and scientific services - all designed to let entrepreneurs concentrate their time and resources on their core business.

Companies already established at Biocitech represent a wide variety of complementary disciplines and many are working on collaborative projects.

Along with other organizations in the Ile-de-France region around Paris, Biocitech plays a key role in the Medicen Paris Region network. This is a healthcare and new therapy cluster designated by the French government as internationally competitive and hence qualified for special privileges.

For further information: http://www.biocitech.com

About sanofi-aventis

sanofi-aventis, a leading global pharmaceutical company, discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions to improve the lives of everyone. sanofi-aventis is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York (NYSE: SNY). For more information, please visit http://www.sanofi-aventis.com

About la Caisse des Depots

Caisse des Depots and its subsidiaries are a public financial group and a long-term investor serving the general interest and economic regional development. The Caisse des Depots’ Elan 2020 strategic plan has set four priorities aimed at addressing the most pressing issues facing France, namely: housing and urban development, universities, SMEs and sustainable development.

To get further information: http://www.caissedesdepots.fr

Mark Tidmarsh

ANDREW LLOYD & ASSOCIATES

http://www.ala.com

mark@ala.com

Brighton Business Centre 95 Ditchling Road Brighton BN1 4ST ENGLAND

Tel: +44 1273 675100

Fax: +44 1273 675400

55 rue Boissonade 75014 Paris FRANCE

Tel: +33 1 56 54 07 00

Fax: +33 1 56 54 07 01

INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGY MARKETS, STRATEGY & COMMUNICATION

Back to news