How France’s Sanofi-Aventis says Genzyme takeover would benefit companies, shareholders

How Sanofi sees benefits of Genzyme takeover

Here’s how French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi-Aventis SA, which has initiated a hostile takeover attempt for Genzyme Corp. of Cambridge, Mass., describes how the proposed $18.5 billion deal would benefit the two companies and their shareholders:

BENEFITS TO GENZYME

—Shareholders get a substantial premium over the value of Genzyme shares before the deal was announced.

—Shareholders get “immediate and certain value” despite lingering manufacturing problems.

—Genzyme’s potential risks would be shifted to Sanofi-Aventis.

—Genzyme’s rare disease business would be enhanced “as a center of excellence.”

—With Sanofi’s global reach, Genzyme’s other products would have more value.

BENEFITS TO SANOFI-AVENTIS

—A new, sustainable growth platform would be created, boosting its biotech exposure.

—Its role in the attractive, growing rare disease market would expand.

—Sanofi’s U.S. presence and its research and development pipeline of later-stage drugs both would grow.

—Its strong capital structure and financial strength would be preserved.

Source: Sanofi-Aventis SA