Sanofi-aventis announced the launch of the RealiseAF registry (Real Life global Survey Evaluating patients with Atrial Fibrillation), an international, cross-sectional, observational registry that will be conducted in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). This disease can worsen patients' prognosis, increase the risk of hospitalization, stroke and mortality. RealiseAF will provide a real-life picture of the global burden of AF in more than 10,000 patients in 27 countries. RealiseAF is designed to assess the control of atrial fibrillation (AF) and investigate the CV risk profile of a broad spectrum of AF populations in Europe, Latin America, Asia, Middle East and North Africa. This new registry is intended to generate new data on a broad AF population including patients with paroxysmal, persistent as well as permanent atrial fibrillation, AF due to transient causes. It will provide a better understanding of this disease and associated CV consequences, which may help to further improve the burden of AF.

A person familiar with the matter said that some half a dozen pharmaceutical companies are set to submit revised bids for Mepha Holding AG. The person added that two or three companies will then probably be picked for a final round of bidding. The sale process may raise more than CHF 700 million. No fixed timetable has been set for the last round. The person added that the bidders include both large pharmaceutical companies and specialist generic-drug manufacturers, although some companies previously touted as possible buyers, Sanofi-Aventis and Gedeon Richter plc. have not bid. Reuters reported that a spokeswoman for the Merckle family, owner of Mepha declined to comment.

Ratiopharm GmbH has attracted at least 10 first-round bids, several people familiar with the procedure told Reuters. The sources said that bidders include Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, Mylan, Inc., Sanofi-Aventis, Sinopharm Group Co. Ltd. and Actavis Group Hf. Firms participating in the round of bids, which were non-binding, include TPG, Advent International Corporation in collaboration with Goldman Sachs Private Equity Group, Permira Advisers Ltd. and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR). One source said EQT Partners AB had also filed a bid. Some of the sources said that bidders will be asked to confirm their non-binding offers in December and a smaller group will make binding offers in February. Ratiopharm has said it aims to conclude a deal in the first quarter of 2010. Reuters reported that a spokesman for Ratiopharm declined to comment. It added that Teva, Actavis, Goldman Sachs Private Equity Group, Permira and KKR also declined comment. Reuters reported that Sanofi, Sinopharm and Mylan were not immediately available for comment. Earlier this month, Teva’s President and Chief Executive, Shlomo Yanai declined to comment on Ratiopharm but said Teva was "scrutinising the industry constantly looking for acquisitions" that would be accretive to its earnings in the first year. Several sources close to the proceedings also told Reuters on Wednesday that most bids came in between €2 billion and €2.5 billion. A spokesman for Vem Vermögensverwaltung Gmbh (VEM), said last week that VEM was positively surprised by the number of bids and that it was "very satisfied" with the level of the offers. Encouraged by the interest from suitors, the sale of Ratiopharm as a whole remained a priority, he said at the time. Commerzbank and Royal Bank of Scotland are managing the sale.