Sanofi-Aventis ends development of idrabiotaparinux and eplivanserin

Sanofi-Aventis announced that it will stop the development of idrabiotaparinux and eplivanserin. Have you heard of these agents?

• Idrabiotaparinux is a novel synthetic anticoagulant that links idraparinux, a specific, indirect factor Xa inhibitor, to biotin.
• Eplivanserin was being developed for insomnia.

These drugs got close. Sanofi-Aventis also announced it will buy the U.S. health care company Chattem Inc. for about $1.9 billion in cash. Sanofi-Aventis said the deal would create the world's fifth-largest consumer health care company.