Sanofi Group's listed entity in India, today announced that the Registrar of Companies had approved the company's change of name from Aventis Pharma Ltd to 'Sanofi India Ltd', with effect from May 11. The shareholders of the company had earlier approved the name change at the annual general meeting held on May 3, a company statement said here. Commenting on the name change, Dr Shailesh Ayyangar, Managing Director, said, "Just like Sanofi Group, the company in India is also evolving and diversifying at the same time.
The new name reflects Sanofi's ambition to become a diversified global healthcare leader focused on patients' needs and the synergy between the Group and local entity." The decision to change the name of the Group's listed entity in India comes a year after the name of the parent company was changed globally from Sanofi-Aventis to Sanofi in May 2011. "The change in name of the listed entity to Sanofi India Limited will also provide a common identity to the Sanofi Group across the world," Ayyangar said. In 1956, the company was incorporated as Hoechst Fedco Pharmaceutical Private Limited. From there on, the company's name was changed to Hoechst Pharmaceuticals Private Limited; Hoechst India Limited and Hoechst Marion Roussel Limited in the years 1959, 1984 and 1996 respectively. In 2001, Aventis Pharma Limited became the Group's listed entity in India.
Aventis Pharma (AVENTIS), previously known as Hoechst Marion Roussel (HMR), is a 50.1 % subsidiary of Aventis (formed by the merger of Hoechst AG and Rhone Poulenc). In 1999, the life sciences business of Hoechst AG and Rhone Poulenc SA were formally merged into a global life sciences giant called Aventis. The pharmaceutical business of both the companies has been combined into Aventis Pharma AG. The domestic product portfolio of Aventis Pharma includes 29 brands, 12 of which fall under the purview of the current DPCO. Some of its prominent brands include Cardace, Amaryl, Rabipur, Clexane, Lantus, ..etc. Aventis focuses its activities on seven major therapeutic areas including cardiovascular diseases, thrombosis, oncology, central nervous system disorders, metabolic disorders, internal medicine and vaccines. With more than 99,000 employees in 100 countries across five continents, Sanofi-Aventis holds 5.3% of the global market share in healthcare. The company has Aventis Pharma Deutschland GmbH, Germany; PT Aventis Pharma, Indonesia; Aventis Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA; Aventis Pharma PTE, Singapore; Aventis Pharma, (U.K.) Investment et al as its subsidiaries. It holds 49% in its JV Chiron Behring Vaccines (CBVPL).