Powerful New Efficacy Data in Moderate and Severe Hypertensive Patients Supports FDA Approval of AVALIDE(R) (Irbesartan-Hydrochlorothiazide) as the First Combination Therapy for Initial Use in Patients Likely to Need Multiple Drugs to Achieve Their Blood P

AVALIDE demonstrated powerful mean blood pressure reductions of 30.8 mm Hg systolic blood pressure (SBP) and 24.0 mm Hg diastolic blood pressure (DBP) at five weeks and 21.1/19.3 mm Hg (SBP/DBP) for irbesartan alone in a study of patients with severe hypertension AVALIDE also demonstrated mean BP reductions of 27.1/14.6 mm Hg (SBP/DBP) at 8 weeks, and 22.1/11.6 mm Hg and 15.7/7.3 mm Hg (SBP/DBP) reductions respectively for irbesartan and HCTZ alone, in a study of patients with moderate hypertension PARIS and PRINCETON, N.J., Nov. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sanofi- aventis (EURONEXT: SAN and NYSE: SNY) and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY) announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the supplemental new drug application (sNDA) for the antihypertensive agent AVALIDE for initial use in patients with hypertension who are likely to need multiple drugs to achieve their blood pressure goals. The approval is based on data from two clinical trials involving more than 1,200 patients with moderate or severe high blood pressure. In the first double-blind, active-controlled, seven-week trial, patients with severe hypertension (mean baseline 172/113 mm Hg SBP/DBP) were randomly treated with either AVALIDE 150/12.5 mg (n=468) or irbesartan 150 mg monotherapy (n=227). After one week, all doses were doubled. At five weeks, AVALIDE(R) (irbesartan-hydrochlorothiazide) 300/25 mg demonstrated mean blood pressure reductions of 30.8/24.0 mm Hg versus 21.1/19.3 mm Hg (SBP/DBP) for irbesartan 300 mg alone (P<.0001). In the second double-blind, active-controlled, 12-week trial, patients with moderate hypertension (mean baseline 162/98 mm Hg SBP/DBP) were randomly treated with AVALIDE 150/12.5 mg (n=328), irbesartan 150 mg monotherapy (n=106), or hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg monotherapy (n=104). After two weeks, all doses were doubled. The primary endpoint was mean change in SBP from baseline to Week 8. At eight weeks, AVALIDE 300/25 mg demonstrated mean blood pressure reductions of 27.1/14.6 mm Hg (SBP/DBP), which was significantly greater than irbesartan 300 mg or hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg alone, 22.1/11.6 mm Hg (P<.01) and 15.7/7.3 mm Hg (P<.0001) (SBP/DBP), respectively. In the severe hypertension study, the incidences of pre-specified adverse events on AVALIDE vs. irbesartan were: syncope (0% vs. 0%), hypotension (0.6% vs. 0%), dizziness (3.6% vs. 4.0%), headache (4.3% vs. 6.6%), hyperkalemia (0.2% vs. 0%), and hypokalemia (0.6% vs. 0.4%). In the moderate hypertension study, the incidences of pre-specified adverse events on AVALIDE vs. irbesartan or hydrochlorothiazide monotherapy were: hypotension (0.9% vs. 0% and 0%), dizziness (3.0% vs. 3.8% and 1.0%), headache (5.5% vs. 3.8% and 4.8%), hyperkalemia (1.2% vs. 0% and 1.0%), and hypokalemia (0.9% vs. 0% and 0%). "Guidelines support initial combination therapy for severe hypertension based on the need to lower BP within weeks rather than months," said Dr. Joel Neutel, Professor of Medicine, University of California in Irvine. "Now with AVAPRO(R) (irbesartan) and AVALIDE physicians have more therapeutic options to treat mild, moderate and severe hypertension," added Dr. Neutel. AVAPRO is indicated for the treatment of hypertension and also helps to slow the progression of nephropathy in type 2 diabetic hypertensive patients. AVALIDE may be used in appropriate patients whose blood pressure is not adequately controlled on monotherapy and now can be used as initial therapy in appropriate patients who are likely to need multiple drugs to achieve their blood pressure goals. "JNC 7 guidelines recommend that physicians consider starting with combination therapy for most patients with stage 2 hypertension," said Dr. Michael Weber, Professor of Medicine, SUNY Downstate College of Medicine. "In addition, the approval of AVALIDE(R) (irbesartan-hydrochlorothiazide) as a first-line therapy in patients likely to need multiple drugs to achieve their blood pressure goals provides physicians with an FDA-approved therapeutic option in one tablet." ABOUT AVAPRO(R) (irbesartan) and AVALIDE In the United States, AVAPRO is indicated for the treatment of hypertension. It may be used alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents. AVAPRO is also indicated for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy with an elevated serum creatinine and proteinuria (>300 mg/day) in patients with type 2 diabetes and hypertension. In this population, AVAPRO reduces the rate of progression of nephropathy as measured by the occurrence of doubling of serum creatinine or end-stage renal disease (need for dialysis or renal transplantation). AVALIDE is a fixed-dose combination of the angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) AVAPRO and a diuretic (hydrochlorothiazide). AVALIDE is indicated for the treatment of hypertension. AVALIDE may be used in patients whose blood pressure is not adequately controlled on monotherapy. AVALIDE may also be used as initial therapy in patients who are likely to need multiple drugs to achieve their blood pressure goals. The choice of AVALIDE as initial therapy for hypertension should be based on an assessment of potential benefits and risks. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION USE IN PREGNANCY: When used in pregnancy during the second and third trimesters, drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and even death to the developing fetus. When pregnancy is detected, AVAPRO or AVALIDE should be discontinued as soon as possible. See WARNINGS: Fetal/Neonatal Morbidity and Mortality. -- Because of the hydrochlorothiazide component, AVALIDE is contraindicated in patients with anuria or hypersensitivity to sulfonamide-derived drugs -- In patients with volume or sodium depletion (eg, patients vigorously treated with diuretics or on dialysis), such depletion should be corrected prior to administration of AVAPRO(R) (irbesartan) or AVALIDE(R) (irbesartan-hydrochlorothiazide), or a lower initial dose of AVAPRO (75 mg) should be used, to avoid possible symptomatic hypotension -- Hypersensitivity reactions to hydrochlorothiazide may occur in patients with or without a history of allergy or bronchial asthma, but are more likely in patients with such a history -- Thiazide diuretics have been reported to cause exacerbation or activation of systemic lupus erythematosus -- Lithium generally should not be given with thiazides -- Thiazides should be used with caution in patients with severe renal disease and in patients with impaired hepatic function or progressive liver disease, since minor alterations of fluid and electrolyte balance may precipitate hepatic coma -- In placebo-controlled hypertension studies, there were no significant differences in adverse events (AEs) between AVAPRO and placebo. Adverse events that occurred in at least 1% of patients treated with AVAPRO and at a higher incidence vs placebo included diarrhea (3% vs 2%), dyspepsia/heartburn (2% vs 1%) and fatigue (4% vs 3%) -- Additionally, in a study of hypertensive type 2 diabetic patients with renal disease (proteinuria greater than or equal to 900 mg/day), the reported AEs for AVAPRO were similar to those seen in hypertension studies, with the exception of an increased incidence of orthostatic symptoms; AVAPRO compared to placebo (both groups received adjunctive antihypertensives): dizziness (10.2% vs 6.0%), orthostatic dizziness (5.4% vs 2.7%) and orthostatic hypotension (5.4% vs 3.2%), respectively. In patients with proteinuria, monitor serum potassium -- In placebo-controlled hypertension studies, the most common adverse experiences reported with AVALIDE that occurred in greater than or equal to 1% of patients and at a higher incidence vs placebo included fatigue (7% vs 3%), musculoskeletal pain (7% vs 5%), dizziness (8% vs 4%), and nausea/vomiting (3% vs 0%). Additionally, in studies of moderate and severe hypertensives where AVALIDE was used as initial therapy, the types and incidences of adverse events reported for AVALIDE were similar to monotherapy 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) About Bristol-Myers Squibb For more than 40 years, Bristol-Myers Squibb has been committed to building a unified vision for the future of cancer treatment. With expertise, dedication and resolve, that vision led to the development of a diverse global portfolio of anti-cancer therapies that are an important cornerstone of care today. Hundreds of scientists in Bristol-Myers Squibb's Research & Development organization are studying ways to improve current cancer treatments and identify better, more effective medicines for the future. Bristol-Myers Squibb is a global pharmaceutical and related health care products company whose mission is to extend and enhance human life. Visit Bristol-Myers Squibb on the World Wide Web at http://www.bms.com. Forward Looking For sanofi-aventis This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. 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For full Prescribing Information including boxed WARNING regarding Use in Pregnancy, please visit: http://www.AVAPROAVALIDE.com or http://www.bms.com.