Sanofi Canada Statement in response to INESSS Decision Impacting Prostate Cancer Patients in Quebec

MONTREAL, March 27, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - "It is with great disappointment that Sanofi Canada has learned that the Institut national d'excellence en santé et en services sociaux (INESSS) has not approved the public listing of JEVTANA® (cabazitaxel)," said Jon Fairest, President and CEO of Sanofi Canada. "This decision means that those men living with prostate cancer in Quebec and dependent on the public system will not have access to public reimbursement for JEVTANA®."

The provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario have already approved and recognized the value of JEVTANA® for patients living in these provinces.

Sanofi Canada's ambition is to bring value, health and hope to Canadians through innovative healthcare solutions. Sanofi Canada stands behind the principle of access to the right medicine for the right patient at the right time, in strict accordance with advice and oversight from the appropriate healthcare practitioner.

"It is an exciting time in the area of prostate cancer research with several new treatment options recently approved by Health Canada.  Scientific research and clinical evidence suggests that there are subgroups of patients who respond differently to these different treatment options, therefore, the ability to individualize treatment is what is necessary to provide best outcomes for patients ," added Mr. Fairest. "Not having Cabazitaxel available to physicians and patients as a treatment option is extremely disappointing. We can just begin to imagine how frustrating this will be for patients and their families. New drugs with recognized therapeutic value need to be accessible to patients and clinicians in order to accomplish the objective and offer the best chance of extending survival."

Regardless of the recent decision by INESSS to not approve JEVTANA®, Sanofi hopes to have the opportunity to work with INESSS in the very near future to help make this unique treatment option available to prostate cancer patients who can benefit from it.

About JEVTANA®
JEVTANA® is a second line treatment of castration resistant (hormone refractory) metastatic prostate cancer (mHRPC) in combination with prednisone in patients who have received prior treatment with a docetaxel containing regimen.

Jevtana® is a registered trademark of Sanofi.

About Sanofi
Sanofi, a global and diversified healthcare leader, discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions focused on patients' needs. Sanofi has core strengths in the field of healthcare with seven growth platforms: diabetes solutions, human vaccines, innovative drugs, consumer healthcare, emerging markets, animal health and the new Genzyme. Sanofi is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York (NYSE: SNY).

Sanofi companies in Canada include sanofi-aventis Canada Inc. (pharmaceuticals), Sanofi Pasteur (vaccines), Sanofi Consumer Health (health and beauty), Genzyme (rare diseases) and Merial (animal health). Together they employ more than 1,700 people, mainly in the greater Montreal and Toronto areas. In 2011 Sanofi companies invested $151.7 million in R&D in Canada, creating jobs, business and opportunity throughout the country. For additional information, please visit http://www.sanofi.ca .

SOURCE: SANOFI CANADA

MEDIA
Caroline Martel
Communications Consultant, Sanofi Canada
514-956-6120
[email protected]