Sanofi-Aventis seeking acquisitions?

Sanofi-Aventis, a multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in Paris, is reportedly exploring the possibility of making four acquisitions in the ophthalmology sector totaling $1.35 billion, according to the French newspaper Les Echos. According to the newspaper, which cited unnamed sources, three of the targeted companies are based in the United States, and the fourth one is based in Israel.

Paris-Sanofi-Aventis, a multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in Paris, is reportedly exploring the possibility of making four acquisitions in the ophthalmology sector totaling $1.35 billion, according to the French newspaper Les Echos.

According to the newspaper, which cited unnamed sources, three of the targeted companies are based in the United States, whereas the fourth one is based in Israel.

The acquisitions would signal the entry of Sanofi-Aventis into the ophthalmology market. The company-which engages in research and development, manufacturing, and marketing primarily of prescription pharmaceuticals-currently provides products in cardiology, oncology, and internal medicine, as well as metabolic diseases, central nervous system disorders, and vaccines.

Sanofi-Aventis has the financial prowess to support the newspaper’s report: on Feb. 19, the company agreed to buy Genzyme, a U.S.-based manufacturer of drugs for rare genetic disorders, for $20.1 billion in cash.

A spokesman for Sanofi-Aventis reportedly had no comment regarding the eye-care acquisitions.