Second class action launched against Sanofi-Aventis in US over Acomplia

A US law firm has launched a class action lawsuit against Sanofi-Aventis in the US, claiming the French company has not divulged data on the side-effects of the antiobesity treatment Acomplia (rimonabant), known as Zimulti in the US.

A previous class action lawsuit was launched against the French group on the same grounds in November 2007 by another law firm.

"Sanofi-Aventis is aware of the press statement from a law firm announcing the filing of a second class action lawsuit against it in the US" and "disputes the allegations given in this statement," according to a spokesperson from the French company. He added that the group "intends to defend itself vigorously".

The firm, Schiffrin Barroway Topaz & Kessler, says it filed a class action on behalf of all shareholders of Sanofi-Aventis who bought the group's shares between 17 February 2006 and 13 June 2007, and has invited all investors who feel wronged to join the action.

The plaintiffs consider that the French company dissimulated data concerning certain of the drug's side-effects which "cause a statistically significant increase in psychiatric problems, including suicidal thoughts and actions", the law firm said.

On 13 June 2007, an Advisory Panel to the FDA voted unanimously that Sanofi-Aventis had not provided enough information on the safety of rimonabant and recommended the US agency not to approve the drug.

At the end of June 2007, Sanofi decided to withdraw its US application for marketing authorisation for rimonabant.