The FINANCIAL — Sanofi Chief Executive Officer, Olivier Brandicourt, commented:
“In 2015, Sanofi made meaningful progress with key launches, multiple business development activities and our efforts to simplify the organization. Entering into exclusive negotiations on a business swap with Boehringer Ingelheim would bring us leadership in CHC. This is a key first step in reshaping our portfolio. In 2016, we continue to allocate resources to our promising late-stage pipeline and the introduction of innovative medicines which will position us for accelerated future growth”.
2015 fourth-quarter and full-year Aggregate Group sales
Unless otherwise indicated, all percentage changes in sales in this press release are stated at CER.
Fourth-quarter Aggregate Group sales were €9,278 million up 2.3% at 2015 exchange rates. Exchange rate movements had a positive effect of 3.9 percentage points reflecting mainly the strength of the U.S. dollar against the Euro, which largely offset the negative effect of the Brazilian real and the Russian Ruble. At CER, Aggregate Group sales decreased 1.6%.This includes the impact of the voluntary recall of Auvi-Q/Allerject in the U.S. and Canada announced on October 30. The negative impact of the recall on sales was -€122 million which corresponded mainly to the reversal of sales of the product since the beginning of 2015. Excluding AuviQ/Allerject, Aggregate Group sales were down 0.3% at CER.
In 2015, Aggregate Group sales were €37,057 million, up 9.7% at 2015 exchange rates. Exchange rate movements had a favorable effect of 7.5 percentage points resulting in an increase of aggregate Group sales of 2.2% at CER.
Pharmaceuticals
Fourth-quarter sales for Pharmaceuticals decreased 4.7% to €7,277 million impacted by a decline in Diabetes and Established Rx Products that was partially offset by Genzyme. Excluding AuviQ/Allerject, sales for Pharmaceuticals were down 3.2%. In 2015, sales for Pharmaceuticals increased 0.8% to €29,799 million.
In the fourth quarter, sales of Diabetes decreased 12.6% to €1,903 million, reflecting lower sales of Lantus in the U.S. In 2015, sales of Diabetes were €7,580 million, down 6.8% and in line with the guidance communicated in October.
In the U.S., fourth-quarter sales of Diabetes were down 25.1% to €1,056 million. Sales of Diabetes outside the U.S. were €847 million, an increase of 7.0% supported by the strong performance in Emerging Markets up 15.1% to €426 million. Sales in Western Europe reached €302 million, up 1.0% reflecting glargine biosimilar competition.
Toujeo, the new-generation basal insulin, was launched in the U.S. market at the end of March and later in the year in other key global markets. Total sales of the product were €98 million in the fourth quarter compared to €46 million in the third quarter of 2015. In the U.S. sales of Toujeo were €79 million reflecting strong adoption by prescribers supported by rapid and broad commercial and Medicare market access. Toujeo is now available globally in more than 20 countries and generated full year 2015 sales of €164 million including €27 million outside the U.S.
Fourth-quarter sales of Sanofi’s glargine franchise (Lantus and Toujeo) were €1,634 million, down 14.9%. Over the quarter, sales of Lantus® were €1,536 million down 19.9 %. In the U.S., as anticipated, sales of Lantus decreased 31.6% to €933 million mainly reflecting higher discounts as compared to last year, a slowdown of basal insulin market growth and an unfavorable mix effect towards highly-discounted government channels such as Medicaid (which also included Medicaid delayed bills from multiple States). In Western Europe, sales of Sanofi’s glargine franchise were up 0.4% to €231 million reflecting the launch of a biosimilar glargine in the second half of 2015 in several European markets. In Emerging Markets, fourth-quarter sales of Sanofi’s glargine franchise were €304 million, up 17.2%, driven by Lantus in China, Middle East, Russia and Turkey. In 2015 sales of Sanofi’s glargine franchise were €6,554 million, down 8.5%, according to Sanofi.
Fourth-quarter sales of Amaryl were stable at €94 million, of which €76 million were generated in Emerging Markets (up 4.2%). In 2015, Amaryl sales were up 1.7% to €393 million. Fourth-quarter sales of Apidra increased 3.1% to €104 million, reflecting lower sales in the U.S. (-12.2% to €42 million). In Emerging Markets, sales of Apidra increased 19.0% to €24 million. In 2015, sales of Apidra® were up 4.8% to €376 million.
Afrezza sales were €2 million and €7 million in the fourth quarter and 2015, respectively. On January 4, 2016, Sanofi informed MannKind Corporation, that it has exercised its option to terminate its agreement. This termination will become effective on April 4, 2016. This action is in line with the terms of the contract, and the decision to terminate is due to a number of factors, including the continued low level of prescriptions for Afrezza despite Sanofi’s substantial efforts. Sanofi intends to work with MannKind to support a smooth transition and will continue to make Afrezza available in the United States for a period of up to approximately 180 days after the date of Termination, as set forth in the License and Collaboration Agreement.
Praluent
Following European approval in September 2015, Praluent (alirocumab, collaboration with Regeneron) was launched in the UK, Germany and Nordic countries in the fourth quarter. In the U.S., Praluent was launched in July and is now accessible on formularies covering over 170 million lives in the U.S. In addition to the significant market access achieved, Praluent is the only PCSK9 inhibitor preferred across UnitedHealth Group formularies. Worldwide sales of Praluent were €5 million and €9 million in the fourth quarter and full year of 2015, respectively.
Fourth-quarter sales of Genzyme increased 28.2% to €1,013 million driven by Aubagio and the launch progress of Lemtrada. Genzyme delivered strong performance across all geographies with the U.S. up 42.1% to €485 million and Western Europe up 25.3% to €290 million over the period. In Emerging Markets, sales were €148 million, up 9.7% in the fourth quarter. In 2015, sales of Genzyme increased 29.5% to €3,664 million.
Sales of Multiple Sclerosis products increased 99.4% to €353 million in the fourth quarter. In 2015, sales of this franchise grew 112.2% exceeding €1 billion in annual sales for the first time (€1,114 million).
Fourth-quarter sales of Aubagio were up 69.9% to €272 million driven by the U.S. (up 57.4% to €194 million) and Western Europe (€58 million in sales). In Western Europe, Aubagio exceeded 15% market share in France and some Nordic countries. In 2015, sales of Aubagio increased 77.8% to €871 million.
Fourth-quarter sales of Lemtrada were €81 million including €44 million in the U.S. and €28 million in Western Europe, mainly in Germany and the UK. In 2015, sales of Lemtrada were €243 million compared to €34 million in 2014.
Sales of Rare Disease products were up 8.4% to €660 million in the fourth quarter and 11.4% to €2,550 million in 2015.
Sales of the Gaucher franchise reached €202 million in the fourth quarter, down 1.5% and reflecting lower sales in Emerging markets of Cerezyme (€59 million, down 14.7%) due to lower Russian government purchasing. In the U.S., fourth-quarter sales of the Gaucher franchise increased 11.5% to €66 million reflecting decreased sales of Cerezyme (€47 million, down 12.5%) which were more than offset by Cerdelga sales (€19 million versus €4 million in Q4 2014), the only first-line oral therapy for Gaucher disease type 1 patients. In Western Europe, where Cerdelga is now available in several countries (Germany, France, Denmark, Norway and Sweden), sales of the Gaucher franchise were €64 million, up 3.2%. In 2015, sales of the Gaucher franchise increased 8.6% to €823 million, mainly reflecting new patient accrual by Cerdelga.
Fourth-quarter sales of Fabrazyme increased 20.3% to €158 million. The product recorded strong performance in the U.S. (up 20.3% to €82 million), Western Europe (up 17.2% to €35 million), and Emerging Markets (up 46.7% to €19 million) reflecting new patient accrual. In 2015, sales of Fabrazyme increased 17.2% to €592 million.
Sales of Myozyme/Lumizyme were €167 million, an increase of 6.7% in the fourth quarter, driven by the U.S. (up 9.3% to €55 million) and Emerging markets (up 11.5% to €28 million). In Western Europe, sales were stable at €72 million. In 2015, sales of Myozyme/Lumizyme were €650 million, an increase of 12.4%.
Sales of Consumer Healthcare (CHC) products were €809 million in the fourth quarter, an increase of 1.0% driven by higher sales in Australia and Mexico. Over the quarter, sales of CHC in the U.S. were up 0.6% to €197 million reflecting lower sales of Nasacort compared to strong sales following the product launch in 2014. Fourth-quarter sales of CHC in Emerging Markets were stable at €392 million, with lower sales in Venezuela offsetting the recovery in Mexico. In Western Europe, sales were flat at €159 million in the quarter, impacted by a second price decrease of Doliprane in France in November. In the Rest of the World, fourth-quarter sales grew 12.5% to €61 million driven by Australia. In 2015, sales of CHC reached €3,492 million, an increase of 2.8%.
Generics
Fourth-quarter sales of Generics increased 4.7% to €467 million driven by sales in Western Europe (up 9.8% to €150 million) and sales of authorized generics version of Lovenox® in the U.S. and Plavix® in Japan. In Emerging Markets, fourth-quarter sales of Generics were €258 million, down 1.0% reflecting lower sales in Brazil. In 2015, sales of Generics increased 7.6% to €1,917 million.
Fourth-quarter sales of Oncology were €381 million, down 7.9% impacted by lower sales of Eloxatin in the U.S. In 2015, sales of Oncology were €1,504 million, down 1.9%.
Sales of Jevtana increased 8.1% to €84 million in the fourth quarter led by the U.S. (up 19.2% to €35 million) and Japan where the product was launched in September 2014. In 2015, sales of Jevtana were up 9.5% to €321 million.
Sales of Thymoglobulin were up 12.3% to €69 million and 6.0% to €256 million in the fourth quarter and 2015, respectively.
Fourth-quarter sales of Eloxatin were down 24.3% (to €58 million) reflecting lower sales in the U.S. which were partially offset by the continued good performance in China. Over the same period, sales of Taxotere decreased 33.8% (to €49 million), reflecting generic competition especially in Japan. In 2015, sales of Eloxatin and Taxotere were down 0.5% (€227 million) and down 22.2% (€222 million), respectively. A generic of Eloxatin was recently introduced in Canada.
Sales of Mozobil grew 12.9% (to €38 million) and 16.2% (to €143 million) in the fourth quarter and in 2015, respectively.
Fourth-quarter sales of Established Rx Products were €2,699 million, down 10.4%. Excluding AuviQ/Allerject, sales of Established Rx Products were down 6.5%.
Sales of Plavix decreased 14.2% to €455 million in the fourth quarter reflecting generic competition in Japan beginning in June 2015 (sales in Japan were down 36.5% to €144 million), which was partially offset by continued strong performance in China (up 17.0% to €174 million). In 2015, Plavix decreased 4.1% to €1,929 million with sales in Japan of €695 million (down 12.5%) and China of €660 million (up 13.1%).
Sales of Lovenox were €419 million in the fourth quarter, down 3.4% impacted by generic competition in the U.S. In Emerging Markets and in Western Europe, sales of Lovenox were up 2.0% (to €151 million) and stable (at €227 million), respectively. Sanofi is aware of competitors that have filed marketing authorization applications for biosimilar enoxaparin with health authorities in Europe. In 2015, sales of Lovenox were €1,719 million (down 0.5%).
Sales of Renvela/Renagel were €239 million in the fourth quarter, up 0.9%. In the U.S., sales of the product increased 6.9% to €193 million. Generics of the product are currently marketed in some European countries, which resulted in Western Europe sales of Renvela/Renagel down 36.1% to €23 million. Sanofi continues to expect potential generic approvals in the U.S. in 2016. Sales of Renvela/Renagel were €935 million, up 18.9% in 2015.
Fourth-quarter sales of Aprovel/Avapro were down 7.9% to €170 million due generic competition in Western Europe (down 16.3% to €36 million). In Emerging Markets, sales of the product were down 2.0% to €100 million. The positive performance in China (up 17.8% to €58 million) was partially offset by lower sales in Venezuela and the Middle-East. In 2015, sales of Aprovel®/Avapro® were €762 million (down 3.7%).
On October 30, Sanofi announced a voluntary recall for Auvi-Q and Allerject in the U.S. and Canada. The negative impact of the recall on sales was -€122 million which corresponded mainly to the reversal of sales of the product since the beginning of 2015.
Fourth-quarter consolidated sales of Sanofi Pasteur were up 15.0% to €1,442 million driven by influenza and Adult Booster vaccines and Meningitis/Pneumonia Vaccines  in the U.S. as well as Polio/Pertussis/Hib Vaccines in Emerging Markets. In the quarter, sales of Sanofi Pasteur increased 4.4% to €776 million in the U.S. and 24.0% to €531 million in Emerging Markets. In 2015, sales of Sanofi Pasteur increased 7.3% to €4,743 million.
Sales of Influenza Vaccines increased 25.1% to €450 million in the fourth quarter benefiting from a favorable phasing in the U.S., Mexico, Middle-East, and Western Europe. In the U.S., sales of Influenza vaccines increased 30.4% to €322 million. Sales in Emerging Markets were up 8.5% to €109 million. In 2015, sales of Influenza vaccines increased 2.0% to €1,322 million of which €896 million in the U.S. (up 11.8%) reflecting Sanofi Pasteur’s strategy to offer differentiated influenza vaccines. This performance was partially offset by lower sales in Brazil due to increased supply of the Butantan Institute.
Fourth quarter sales of Polio/Pertussis/Hib Vaccines increased 13.5% to €466 million driven by sales of Pentaxim® in China, Hexaxim® in Middle-East and sales of Hib vaccines in Japan resulting from delayed supply by a competitor. In Emerging Markets, sales of Polio/Pertussis/Hib Vaccines increased 45.4% to €317 million over the quarter.Â
In the fourth quarter, Pentacel was under supply constraints in the U.S. and sales of Polio/Pertussis/Hib Vaccines were €86 million in the U.S. Supply constraints should continue throughout the first half of 2016. In 2015, sales of Polio/Pertussis/Hib Vaccines increased 8.1% to €1,348 million.
Sales of Menactra increased 16.3% to €104 million in the fourth quarter driven by booster vaccinations in the U.S. In 2015, Menactra delivered a strong performance with sales up 18.2% to €563 million.
Fourth-quarter sales of Adult Booster Vaccines increased 35% to €150 million reflecting phasing of Adacel in the U.S. In 2015, Adult Booster vaccines were €496 million, an increase of 10.1%.
Fourth-quarter and 2015 sales of Travel and Other Endemic Vaccines declined 2.0% to €100 million and 6.9% to €375 million, respectively.
Dengvaxia, the world’s first dengue vaccine, was approved in late 2015 in three countries, Mexico, the Philippines and Brazil and no sales were recorded in Q4 2015.
Sales of Sanofi Pasteur MSD (not consolidated), the joint venture with Merck & Co. in Europe, were €240 million (stable on a reported basis) and €824 million (down 2.8% on a reported basis) in the fourth quarter and 2015, respectively.
Fourth-quarter sales of Animal Health increased 5.9% to €559 million driven by the continued success of NexGard, Merial’s next generation flea and tick product for dogs and by the performance of the Ruminant franchise. In the U.S. and rest of the World, Animal Health sales grew 12.9% (to €219 million) and 14.9% (to €54 million), respectively. In 2015, sales of Animal Health were up 10.8% to €2,515 million driven by the success of NexGard.
Fourth-quarter sales of the Companion Animals segment were up 8.7% to €321 million reflecting the success of NexGard which offset the decline of the Frontline products family. In 2015, NexGard® became the third largest product of Merial. Sales of Companion Animals segment grew 13.1% to €1,629 million.
Fourth-quarter sales of the Production Animals segment increased 2.6% to €238 million driven by the Ruminant business in the U.S reflecting the success of LongRange.The Avian business was up 1.1% in the fourth quarter of 2015 due to the strong performance in the same period of last year. In 2015, sales of the Production Animals segment grew 7.0% to €886 million.
Fourth-quarter Aggregate sales in the U.S. were down 8.2% to €3,292 million impacted by a 25.1% decrease in diabetes sales and the recall of Auvi-Q that were partially offset by the strong performance of Genzyme (up 42.1%), and Animal Health (up 12.9%). Excluding AuviQ®, fourth-quarter sales in the U.S. were down 5.0%. In 2015, Aggregate sales in the U.S. were down 1.0% to €13,406 million.
Aggregate sales in Emerging Markets were up 5.5% to €3,102 million in the fourth quarter reflecting strong performance of Diabetes (up 15.1%), Vaccines (up 24.0%) and Genzyme (up 9.7%). In Asia, Aggregate sales were up 16.2% to €985 million in the fourth quarter boosted by the performance in China (up 26.9% to €604 million).Â
In China, the strong performance was mainly driven by Vaccines, Plavix, Lantus, Aprovel. In Latin America, fourth-quarter Aggregate sales decreased 3.9% to €780 million reflecting lower Aggregate sales in Brazil (€225 million, down 7.2%) impacted by local economic conditions. Aggregate sales in Eastern Europe, Russia and Turkey increased 4.3% to €640 million in the fourth quarter driven by Turkey and Ukraine. Aggregate Sales in Russia were €168 million, down 0.5% reflecting lower sales of Cerezyme. In Africa and the Middle East, Aggregate sales were up 4.5% to €625 million sustained by the performance in Middle-East. In 2015, Aggregate sales in the Emerging Markets increased 7.8% to €12,014 million. Full-year Aggregate sales of China, Russia and Brazil were €2,218 million (up 19.5%), €596 million (down 2.6%) and €1,112 million (down 6.2%), respectively.
Fourth-quarter Aggregate sales in Western Europe increased 1.7% to €2,009 million. The strong performance of Genzyme (up 25.3%) and Vaccines was partially offset by lower sales of Established Rx products (-6.6%). In 2015, Aggregate sales in Western Europe increased 0.9% to €8,026 million.
In the fourth quarter, Aggregate sales in Japan decreased 13.8% to €510 million, reflecting generic competition to Plavix® (-36.5%) despite strong growth of Vaccines (+76.0%). In 2015, in Japan, Aggregate sales decreased 6.6% to €2,082 million.
R&D update
Consult Appendix 8 for full overview of Sanofi’s R&D pipeline
Regulatory update
Regulatory updates since the publication of the third quarter results on October 29, 2015 include the following:
In January, Sanofi and Regeneron announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accepted for review the Biologics License Application (BLA) for sarilumab. Per the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA), the target action date is Oct. 30, 2016.
In December, Dengvaxia  was granted regulatory approval by the regulatory authorities in Brazil, Mexico and the Philippines.
In December, the CHMP granted a Positive Opinion recommending the Marketing Authorization of PR5I, Vaxelis, in EU.
In December, Sanofi submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) to the FDA for its investigational fixed-ratio combination of insulin glargine 100 Units/mL and lixisenatide, which if approved would be administered as a single daily injection for the treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes.
At the beginning of February 2016, the R&D pipeline contained 46 pharmaceutical new molecular entities (excluding Life Cycle Management) and vaccine candidates in clinical development of which 14 are in Phase III or have been submitted to the regulatory authorities for approval.
Collaboration
In January, Sanofi and Warp Drive Bio, a privately held biotechnology company using the molecules and mechanisms of nature to discover and develop transformative medicines, announced that they have extended and reshaped their existing collaboration utilizing Warp Drive’s proprietary SMART(TM) (Small Molecule Assisted Receptor Targeting) and Genome Mining platforms to discover novel oncology therapeutics and antibiotics.
In January, Sanofi and Innate Pharma announced that they have entered into a research collaboration and licensing agreement to apply Innate Pharma’s new proprietary technology to the development of innovative bispecific antibody formats engaging natural killer (NK) cells to kill tumor cells through the activating receptor NKp46.
In November, Sanofi and Lexicon entered into a collaboration and license agreement for the development and commercialization of sotagliflozin, an investigational new oral dual inhibitor of sodium-glucose cotransporters 1 and 2 (SGLT-1 and SGLT-2), which could be a potential treatment option for people with diabetes. The developmental medicine sotagliflozin (LX4211) is currently being studied in two pivotal Phase III trials in type 1 diabetes, which are expected to report top-line results during the second half of 2016. Phase III trials in type 2 diabetes are expected to begin in 2016.
In November, Sanofi and Hanmi announced a worldwide license agreement to develop a portfolio of experimental, long-acting diabetes treatments. Sanofi has obtained an exclusive worldwide license to develop and commercialize efpeglenatide, a late-stage long-acting glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP1-RA); a weekly insulin and; a fixed-dosed weekly GLP-1-RA/insulin drug combination.
Sanofi and BioNTech A.G. announced in November that they entered into a multiyear exclusive collaboration and license agreement. This research collaboration between Sanofi and BioNTech will leverage the scientific expertise of the two organizations to discover and develop up to five cancer immunotherapies, each consisting of a mixture of synthetic messenger RNAs (mRNAs).
In November, Sanofi and AstraZeneca announced a direct exchange of 210,000 compounds from their respective, proprietary compound libraries. The exchange represents a novel, open innovation model of collaboration between two leading pharmaceutical companies. It will enhance the chemical diversity of the compound collections of both companies and allow each company to screen a broader, more diverse chemical space as the starting point in the search for new, small-molecule medicines.
Portfolio update
Phase III:
In February, our partner Alnylam, announced that the enrollment of the Phase III study, APOLLO, with patisiran, an investigational RNAi therapeutic targeting transthyretin (TTR) for the treatment of TTR-mediated amyloidosis (ATTR amyloidosis) in patients with familial amyloidotic polyneuropthy (FAP), was completed.
In November, Sanofi and Regeneron announced that the companies completed enrollment in the global Phase III ODYSSEY OUTCOMES trial, which is prospectively evaluating the potential cardiovascular benefits of Praluent (alirocumab) Injection after an acute coronary syndrome. The 18,000-patient ODYSSEY OUTCOMES trial is expected to be completed in 2017.
In November, Sanofi and Regeneron announced results from a pivotal Phase III study of sarilumab, an investigational, human antibody against the IL-6 receptor. The results of the study, SARIL-RA-TARGET, were presented during the American College of Rheumatology Annual Meeting in San Francisco, California. The study met both its co-primary endpoints of improvements in signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and improvements in physical function, as well as secondary efficacy endpoints.
An oral dual SGLT1 and SGLT2 inhibitor, SAR439954 (collaboration and license agreement with Lexicon), entered into the portfolio in Phase III in type 1 diabetes.
Furthermore, the results of the Phase III evaluating the vaccine against rotavirus do not support regulatory submission.
Phase II:
An oral  dual SGLT1 and SGLT2 inhibitor, SAR439954 (collaboration and license agreement with Lexicon), entered into the portfolio in Phase II in type 2 diabetes.
A long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist, SAR439977 (license agreement with Hanmi), entered into the portfolio in Phase II in type 2 diabetes.
Phase I:
SAR407899, a rho kinase, entered Phase I in microvascular angina.
A long acting insulin analog, SAR440067 (license agreement with Hanmi), entered into the portfolio in Phase I in type 2 diabetes.
A stable glucagon analog, SAR438544, entered in Phase I in severe hypoglycemia.
2015 fourth quarter and 2015 Aggregate financial results
Business Net Income
In the fourth quarter of 2015, Sanofi generated Aggregate sales of €9,278 million, an increase of 2.3% at fourth-quarter 2015 exchange rates (down 1.6% at CER). In 2015, Aggregate Group sales were €37,057 million, an increase of 9.7% at 2015 exchange rates (up 2.2% at CER).
Aggregate other revenues were €108 million, up 10.2% and €360 million, up 6.2% in the fourth quarter and in 2015, respectively. At CER, Aggregate other revenues were up 3.1% in the fourth quarter and down 4.7% in 2015, reflecting lower royalties received on Enbrel® sales in Europe.
Aggregate gross profit was €6,304 million in the fourth quarter, up 2.9% (down 2.2% at CER). The Aggregate gross margin ratio improved by 0.3 percentage points to 67.9% versus 2014 reflecting a favorable currency effect. At CER, the positive impact from Multiple Sclerosis franchise and Vaccines mix was offset by the negative impact of U.S. Diabetes, Plavix generic competition in Japan and Auvi-Q® recall. The Aggregate gross margin ratio also reflected the investment in monoclonal antibodies production. In 2015, Aggregate gross profit was €25 613 million, up 11,0% (up 2,0% at CER). In 2015, the Aggregate gross margin ratio was up 0.8 percentage points to 69.1% versus 2014 reflecting a favorable currency effect. At CER, the positive impact from Multiple Sclerosis franchise and Vaccines mix was offset by the negative impact of Diabetes in the U.S. Sanofi expects that the Aggregate gross margin for 2016 will be between 68% and 69% at CER.
Fourth-quarter Aggregate Research and Development expenses were €1,415, an increase of 4.7%. At CER, Aggregate R&D expenses were stable. In 2015, Aggregate R&D expenses increased 9.0% to €5,259 million. At CER, 2015 Aggregate R&D expenses were up 1.8%, reflecting higher spend on dupilumab, the ODYSSEY cardiovascular outcome study with Praluent, the initiation of the new immuno-oncology alliance with Regeneron and the recent in-licensing deals. In 2015, the ratio of Aggregate R&D to Aggregate sales was 0.1 percentage points lower at 14.2% versus 2014.
Aggregate selling general and administrative expenses (SG&A) were up 9.5% to €2,700 million in the fourth quarter. At CER, Aggregate SG&A was up 5.4% mainly reflecting the U.S. launch costs of Praluent®, Toujeo® and commercial expenses supporting the Multiple Sclerosis franchise. The ratio of Aggregate SG&A to Aggregate sales increased 1.9 percentage points to 29.1% compared with the fourth quarter of 2014. In 2015, Aggregate SG&A expenses were up 14.0% to €10,247 million, and up 6.0% at CER driven by investment in new launches. In 2015, the ratio of Aggregate selling and general expenses to Aggregate sales was 1.1 percentage points higher to 27.7% compared with 2014.
Fourth-quarter Aggregate other current operating income net of expenses was €20 million versus €96 million in the fourth quarter of 2014. In the fourth quarter of 2015 capital gains before tax of €83 million due to the sales of several small products to third party companies were recorded compared with a capital gain before tax of €79 million in the fourth quarter of 2014. A charge of €71 million was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2015 associated with the termination of the MannKind agreement. In 2015, Aggregate other current operating income net of expenses was -€203 million versus €164 million in 2014. In 2015, Sanofi recorded €240 million as an Aggregate foreign exchange loss with respect to its subsidiaries based in Venezuela mainly resulting from the re-measurement of intra-Group U.S. dollar denominated payables, using the expected foreign exchange rate applicable for the future settlement of those payables.
The Aggregate share of profits from associates was €31 million in the fourth quarter versus €65 million in the fourth quarter of 2014. The initial cost of the collaboration with Verily (formerly known as Google Life Sciences) in Diabetes was recorded in this line in the fourth quarter of 2015. The Aggregate share of profits from associates included Sanofi’s share in Regeneron profit recorded under the equity method since the beginning of April 2014 as well as Sanofi’s share of profit in Sanofi Pasteur MSD (the Vaccines joint venture with Merck & Co. in Europe). In 2015, the Aggregate share of profits from associates was €170 million versus €147 million for the same period of 2014.
Aggregate non-controlling interests were -€39 million in the fourth quarter versus -€31 million in the fourth quarter of 2014. In 2015, Aggregate non-controlling interests were stable (-€126 million).
Aggregate business operating income was €2,201 million, down 9.9% in the fourth quarter of 2015. At CER, Aggregate business operating income was down 16.6% impacted by the recall of Auvi-Q and the termination of the MannKind agreement (related to Afrezza®).
The ratio of Aggregate business operating income to net sales was 3.2 percentage points lower to 23.7% versus the same period of 2014. In 2015 Aggregate business operating income was up 5.3% to €9,948 million and down 2.9% at constant exchange rates. In 2015, the ratio of Aggregate business operating income to net sales decreased by 1.2 percentage points to 26.8%.
Net Aggregate financial expenses were €76 million in the fourth quarter (versus €138 million in the fourth quarter of 2014) which included disposals and reassessment of financial assets. In 2015, net Aggregate financial expenses were €390 million versus €447 million in 2014 reflecting lower financial expenses and pension interest cost.
The fourth quarter effective tax rate (including Animal Health) was 19.5% and the full-year effective tax rate (including Animal Health) was 23.0% compared with 24.0% in 2014. This decrease reflected the effects of the modification in France of the taxation of dividend.
Fourth-quarter business net income decreased 6.5% to €1,709 million (down 13.5% at CER). The ratio of business net income to Aggregate sales was down 1.7 percentage point to 18.4% compared with the fourth quarter of 2014. In 2015, business net income was up 7.7% to €7,371 million, (down 0.9% at CER). The ratio of business net income to Aggregate sales decreased 0.4 percentage points to 19.9% compared to 2014.
From business net income to IFRS net income reported (see Appendix 3)
In 2015, the main reconciling items between business net income and IFRS net income reported were:
A €2,137 million amortization charge related to fair value remeasurement on intangible assets of acquired companies (primarily Aventis: €638 million and Genzyme: €890 million) and to acquired intangible assets (licenses/products: €367 million). A €695 million amortization charge on intangible assets related to fair value remeasurement of acquired companies (primarily Aventis: €145 million, and Genzyme: €224 million), and to acquired intangible assets (licenses/products: €272 million) was recorded in the fourth quarter. These items have no cash impact on the Group.
An impairment of intangible assets of €767 million (of which €533 million in the fourth quarter of 2015 mainly linked to Afrezza®, rotavirus vaccine and Auvi-Q). This item has no cash impact on the Group.
An income of €53 million mainly reflecting a decrease in the fair value of contingent considerations related to the CVRs (€143 million, of which an income of €16 million in the fourth quarter of 2015) and an increase of Bayer contingent considerations (€104 million, of which a charge of €124 million in the fourth quarter of 2015) linked to Lemtrada®.
Restructuring costs of €795 million (including €359 million in the fourth quarter mainly related to transformation in Europe, North America, Japan and Venezuela).
A €1,331 million tax effect arising from the items listed above, comprising €757 million of deferred taxes generated by amortization charged against intangible assets, €262 million associated with impairment of intangible assets and €273 million associated with restructuring costs. The fourth quarter tax effect was €602 million, including €257 million of deferred taxes generated by amortization charged against intangible assets, €175 million associated with impairment of intangible assets, €124 million associated with restructuring costs (see Appendix 3).
A tax of €111 million on dividends paid to shareholders of Sanofi.
In “Share of profits/losses from associates”, a charge of €191 million, net of tax, (of which €59 million in the fourth quarter of 2015) mainly relating to the share of the fair-value re-measurements on assets and liabilities as part of the acquisition of associates and to the share of amortization of intangible assets of joint-ventures. This item has no cash impact on the Group.
In Animal Health items, a net result of €492 million mainly relating to amortization charge of intangible assets, net of tax, of €333 million. In 2015, this line includes a deferred tax charge of €149 million resulting from taxable temporary differences relating to investments in subsidiaries since it is likely that these differences will reverse.
Capital Allocation
In 2015, net cash generated by operating activities increased 12.2% to €8,132 million after capital expenditures of €1,464 million and a decrease in working capital of €1,048 million. This net Cash Flow has contributed to finance a share repurchase (€1,784 million), partially offset by proceeds from the issuance of new shares (€573 million), dividend paid by Sanofi (€3,694 million), acquisitions and partnerships net of disposals (€1,716 million) and restructuring costs (€682 million). As a consequence, net debt increased from €7,171 million at December 31, 2014 to €7,254 million at the end of December 2015 (amount net of €9,148 million cash and cash equivalents) and included the translation impact of the debt, in particular the debt held in U.S. dollars.
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