SANOFI Q4 NET UP 21 PCT, SEES H2 ACOMPLIA LAUNCH

Sanofi-Aventis said on Friday it expected to launch its anti-obesity pill Acomplia in the second half of 2006 as it reported in-line fourth quarter net profit growth of 20.8 percent thanks to merger savings. The French company -- the world's third-largest drug maker -- had originally hoped to launch its biggest new product hope in the United States in the second quarter.

Reuters (http://today.reuters.com/business/newsArticle.aspx?type=health&storyID=nL24421653)