Sanofi Aventis - Acomplia: it 'aint over 'til the fat lady slims, er... sings

Sanofi-Aventis hopes findings from its SERENADE study on Acomplia will encourage health insurance companies and state social security plans to reimburse the cost of the drug for patients.

Acomplia, which has been approved in the EU for weight loss, is reimbursed in some countries, but Germany, a main market, said in October its health care system would not cover the cost of the drug, calling it a 'lifestyle' treatment.

Douglas Green, Sanofi's chief medical officer in the US, said on a conference call that talks on reimbursement in other countries are underway, and said today's trial results 'will have a positive impact on those discussions.'

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