Sanofi-Aventis has retained the agency Euro RSCG Life to promote two of its major brands around the world, insulin analogue Lantus and anti-thrombosis drug Lovenox/Clexane.

The drugs are two of Sanofi-Aventis' fastest growing brands, and Euro RSCG has handled all global communications since October 2004.

Euro RSCG Life has not only retained its account on the brands, but has also secured work on all communications programmes for any new products to emerge from the therapy areas.

One potential Sanofi-Aventis diabetes drug of the future is AVE0847, a dual PPAR agonist currently in phase II, which is nearing a critical stage in its development. Two other drugs in the same class, Merck's muraglitazar and AstraZeneca's Galida have both been abandoned at phase III over the last 12 months because of doubts about their cardiovascular safety.

Euro RSCG Life is part of the larger Havas group, one of the global giants of the communications industry competing for major accounts from pharma and other blue chip industries.

Another business unit, Euro RSCG C&O has also been awarded Sanofi-Aventis' corporate communications account, including internal editorial programmes and publications.

The Havas Group says the successful retention of the account is the fruit of real international collaboration with Euro RSCG Worldwide's global network of teams in more than 40 countries.

Sanofi-Aventis is Euro RSCG Worldwide's first global pharmaceutical client and its work encompasses advertising, corporate communications, media relations, medical communication and interactive communication.

pharmafocus@wiley.co.uk