Sanofi-Aventis (France) Shortens Name to Sanofi and Slows Down Buyouts; Isn't Interested in Buying GlaxoSmithKline's Alli, CEO Says

French drugmaker Sanofi-Aventis SA on Friday shortened its name to Sanofi.

The company said its shareholders approved the change at its annual meeting in Paris. Sanofi is one of the world's biggest drugmakers by revenue. It was formed in 2004 in a merger between two French companies, Sanofi-Synthelabo and Aventis. Last month, the company acquired U.S. specialty drugmaker Genzyme Corp. in a $20.1 billion deal.

Spokesman Jack Cox said the company changed its name in part because many people already referred to it as Sanofi. He said the company wanted its name to be recognizable and easy to pronounce around the world.

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