XML 93 R36.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.25.0.1
Legal and arbitral proceedings
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2024
Other Provisions, Contingent Liabilities And Contingent Assets [Abstract]  
Legal and arbitral proceedings Legal and arbitral proceedings
Sanofi and its affiliates are involved in litigation, arbitration and other legal proceedings. These proceedings typically are related
to product liability claims, intellectual property rights (particularly claims against generic companies seeking to limit the patent
protection of Sanofi products), competition law and trade practices, commercial claims, employment and wrongful discharge
claims, tax assessment claims, waste disposal and pollution claims, and claims under warranties or indemnification arrangements
relating to business divestitures. Provisions related to legal and arbitral proceedings are recorded in accordance with the
principles described in Note B.12.
Most of the issues raised by these claims are highly complex and subject to substantial uncertainties; therefore, the probability of
loss and an estimation of damages are difficult to ascertain. Contingent liabilities are cases for which either we are unable to
make a reasonable estimate of the expected financial effect that will result from ultimate resolution of the proceeding, or a cash
outflow is not probable. In either case, a brief description of the nature of the contingent liability is disclosed and, where
practicable, an estimate of its financial effect, an indication of the uncertainties relating to the amount and timing of any outflow,
and the possibility of any reimbursement are provided in application of paragraph 86 of IAS 37.
In the cases that have been settled or adjudicated, or where quantifiable fines and penalties have been assessed, we have
indicated our losses or the amount of provision accrued that is the estimate of the probable loss.
In a limited number of ongoing cases, while we are able to make a reasonable estimate of the expected loss or range of the
possible loss and have accrued a provision for such loss, we believe that publication of this information on a case-by-case basis or
by class would seriously prejudice the Company’s position in the ongoing legal proceedings or in any related settlement
discussions. Accordingly, in those cases, we have disclosed information with respect to the nature of the contingency but have
not disclosed our estimate of the range of potential loss, in accordance with paragraph 92 of IAS 37.
These assessments can involve a series of complex judgments about future events and can rely heavily on estimates and
assumptions. Our assessments are based on estimates and assumptions that have been deemed reasonable by management. We
believe that the aggregate provisions recorded for the above matters are adequate based upon currently available information.
However, given the inherent uncertainties related to these cases and involved in estimating contingent liabilities, we could in the
future incur judgments that could have a material adverse effect on our net income in any particular period.
Long term provisions are disclosed in Note D.19. They include:
provisions for product liability risks, litigation and other amount to €1,676 million in 2024. These provisions are mainly related
to product liabilities, government investigations, competition law, regulatory claims, warranties in connection with certain
contingent liabilities arising from business divestitures other than environmental matters and other claims;
provisions for environmental risks and remediation amount to €474 million in 2024, the majority of which are related to
contingencies that have arisen from business divestitures.
a) Products
Sanofi Pasteur Hepatitis B Vaccine Product Litigation
Since 1996, more than 180 lawsuits have been filed in various French civil courts against Sanofi Pasteur (a French subsidiary of
Sanofi) and/or Sanofi Pasteur MSD SNC (a joint venture company with Merck & Co., Inc. now terminated), for which past ongoing
litigation is now managed by the originating party. In such lawsuits, the plaintiffs allege that they suffer from a variety of
neurological disorders and autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis and Guillain-Barré syndrome, as a result of receiving
the hepatitis B vaccine.
In January 2018, the Appeal Court of Bordeaux found a causal link between hepatitis B vaccine and multiple sclerosis. In July
2019, the French Supreme Court (Cour de cassation) cancelled the judgment of the Appeal Court of Bordeaux and referred
the case back to the Appeal Court of Toulouse. On March 30, 2022, the Appeal Court of Toulouse dismissed all the plaintiffs'
claims.
As of December 31, 2024, there were four ongoing lawsuits related to Sanofi Pasteur hepatitis B vaccine.
Taxotere Product Litigation in the US
A number of lawsuits have been filed against affiliates of Sanofi under US state law for personal injuries allegedly sustained in
connection with the use of Taxotere. The actions are held in several jurisdictions around the country. In 2021, there were
two bellwether trials as part of a federal multi-district litigation in the Eastern District of Louisiana both resulting in jury verdicts in
Sanofi's favor. Throughout 2024, Sanofi entered into a number of settlement agreements or agreements in principle with many
plaintiffs’ firms encompassing nearly all the remaining cases. These agreements, still a work in progress, require the consent of the
individual plaintiffs and will take some time to conclude, in order to ensure that certain threshold participation requirements are
met. At the end of the settlement process, Sanofi expects approximately 100 plaintiffs to opt out of the settlement and litigation
will continue.
It is not possible, at this stage, to assess with certainty the outcome of these lawsuits.
Zantac Litigation in the US
In September 2019, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced it was investigating the claims of an online
pharmacy’s Citizen Petition that the medication Zantac (the brand name for ranitidine) used for stomach heartburn contains or
can generate the chemical N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), an alleged human carcinogen. As a precautionary measure, Sanofi
initiated a voluntary recall of branded over-the-counter Zantac in October 2019. Concurrent with the FDA investigation, multiple
personal injury lawsuits and class actions alleging that Zantac causes various cancers and seeking damages for either alleged
personal injuries or alleged economic injuries were filed. Federal court cases were coordinated into a Multi-Districts Litigation
(MDL) in the Southern District of Florida in February 2020.
On December 6, 2022, the MDL Court granted Sanofi and other defendants’ Daubert and summary judgment motions. As a
result, the Court entered final judgment in all cases involving plaintiffs’ five designated cancers and dismissed the class action
cases. Based on the preliminary estimates, more than 12,000 plaintiffs have filed notices to appeal the Daubert ruling in the
Eleventh Circuit. The MDL Court subsequently dismissed all pending cases alleging a non-designated cancer for failure to serve
expert reports.
Other cases are pending in various state courts. The majority of the state court plaintiffs have cases pending in Delaware, where a
hearing on defendants’ Daubert motions to exclude plaintiffs’ experts took place in January 2024. In May 2024, the State of
Delaware court decided not to exclude plaintiffs’ experts from the cases. Sanofi has appealed this decision to the Delaware
Supreme Court which has granted review, and a decision is expected in June 2025. To date, there have been five trials against
other defendants, but none against Sanofi as yet.
In March 2024, Sanofi reached agreement in principle with a number of plaintiffs’ lawyers to resolve Zantac personal injury cases
pending against it in all US state courts outside of Delaware. This agreement would resolve approximately 75% of nearly 4,400
cases. The agreement requires the consent of individual plaintiffs and will take some time to conclude.
Overall, as of December 31, 2024, there were around 1,623 product liability “complaints” filed. These complaints
encompass 24,922 individual product liability “plaintiffs” who have all filed against Sanofi. The vast majority of these plaintiffs
participated in the MDL Court’s census registry program, allege cancers that the plaintiffs’ leadership decided not to designate
and pursue in the MDL, and have since filed their complaints in state courts. Additional cases may be filed.
In addition, in November 2019, Sanofi received a Civil Investigative Demand (CID) related to this issue from the Arizona Attorney
General. Sanofi provided responses in December 2019 and July 2020 and has not received any follow-up requests.
In June 2020, the New Mexico Attorney General filed a complaint against Sanofi, the previous marketing authorization holders for
branded Zantac, a dozen generic manufacturers, and several retailers. The complaint brings claims for alleged violations of the
New Mexico Unfair Practices Act, violations of the New Mexico False Advertising Act, violations of the New Mexico Public
Nuisance Statute, common law public nuisance, and negligence. Trial in the case is scheduled for September 2025.
In June 2020, Sanofi received a notice from the US Department of Justice Civil Division and US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern
District of Pennsylvania of an investigation into allegations that pharmaceutical manufacturers violated the False Claims
Act, 31 U.S.C. § 3729, in relation to the drug Zantac and ranitidine hydrochloride through alleged failure to disclose to the federal
government information about the potential presence of NDMA. In response to the notice, Sanofi provided information and
documents including applications and communications with FDA, in August 2020. Sanofi has not received any subsequent
requests from the federal government.
In November 2020, the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore filed a complaint against Sanofi, the previous marketing
authorization holders for branded Zantac, generic manufacturers, and several retailers. The complaint alleges violations of the
Maryland Consumer Protection statute, public nuisance, and negligence. Trial in the case is scheduled for September 2026.
In January 2021, Sanofi had been served with the Center for Environmental Health’s Second Amended Complaint alleging
Proposition 65 violations. The case which was pending in California Superior Court in Alameda County was settled in 2024 and is
now concluded.
It is not possible, at this stage, to assess with certainty the outcome of these lawsuits.
Zantac Litigation in Canada
Between 2019 and 2022, seven proposed class actions naming some or all of Sanofi Consumer Health Inc., Sanofi-Aventis Canada
Inc., Chattem (Canada) Inc., Sanofi and Sanofi Pasteur Limited as Defendants, relating to ranitidine were filed in courts in various
Canadian provinces. The cases allege that proposed class members suffered personal injury from the ingestion of ranitidine, and
seek damages in unspecified amounts, disgorgement of profits, restitution in the amount of the purchase price of Zantac and
subrogated damages on behalf of provincial health insurers for health care costs related to ranitidine use.
Between 2021-2024, a total of 122 individual claims naming Sanofi Consumer Health Inc., Sanofi-Aventis Canada Inc., Sanofi
Pasteur Limited and Chattem (Canada) Inc. were filed in Ontario and British Columbia.
In May 2023, in the proceedings pending before the Supreme Court of British Columbia, the court dismissed the action, ruling
that there is no scientific support for the plaintiffs' claims. The Superior Court of Quebec has stayed the corresponding proposed
Zantac class proceedings in Quebec until the result of the US Multi-District Litigation (MDL) appeal is announced or October 15,
2025 (whichever comes first).
It is not possible, at this stage, to assess with certainty the outcome of the remaining lawsuits.
Talc Product Litigation in the US
Over the last few years, Sanofi affiliates have been named in product liability actions in the United States regarding the alleged
presence of asbestos in talc products originating from past acquisitions. A certain number of these claims were also dismissed
during that time. As of December 31, 2024, there were approximately 700 ongoing product liability actions. To date, no cases
have proceeded to trial.
It is not possible, at this stage, to assess with certainty the outcome of these lawsuits.
Depakine Product Litigation in France
Civil proceedings
As of December 31, 2024, 79 families had brought a civil claim involving 133 people exposed in utero to sodium valproate against a
French affiliate of Sanofi seeking indemnification under French law for personal injuries allegedly suffered by children in
connection with the use of sodium valproate (Depakine) by their mothers during pregnancy to treat their epilepsy. These actions
are being held in several jurisdictions in France.
Forty lawsuits are in progress on the merits, the most advanced of which was tried at the level of the French Supreme Court,
which in November 2019 issued a ruling sending the case before the Paris Appeal Court to rule on Sanofi’s argument on the
compliance of the product with mandatory regulations, as well as on the question of defectiveness of the product and the
assessment of damages. In January 2023, the Paris Appeal Court ordered a stay in the proceedings until the submission of the
second expert opinion report as part of the criminal investigation (see below).
Seven first instance rulings on the merits were handed down in 2022 by the Judicial Tribunal of Nanterre. In three cases, the
Court declared the judicial expert report null and void and the Court dismissed one claim in another case.
Concerning three other cases relating to births that occurred between 2005 and 2009, the Court held, on the basis of a non-
fault liability, that Sanofi was liable in light of the wording of the patient information leaflet. Provisional compensation amounts
were set in the range of €0.1 million to €0.5 million. To date, four first instance cases have ruled in favour of plaintiffs and two first
instance rulings excluded Sanofi’s liability.
All the judgments have been appealed and are still pending.
In the class action lawsuit filed in May 2017 by the APESAC (Association des Parents d’Enfants souffrant du Syndrome de l’Anti-
Convulsivant) against the French affiliate, the Judicial Tribunal of Paris ruled on January 5, 2022 that a class is admissible,
retaining Sanofi’s liability between 1984 and January 2006 for malformations and between 2001 and January 2006 for neuro-
developmental disorders (NDD). This decision is based on the conclusions of a criminal expert report within the frame of ongoing
criminal proceedings, for which the Chambre de l’Instruction of the Appeal Court of Paris had ordered a counter-expertise
(see below). The APESAC, Sanofi and its insurers appealed the Judicial Tribunal of Paris’ ruling related to the class action.
On July 21, 2021, the Judicial Tribunal of Créteil (France) dismissed a claim for damages brought against Sanofi regarding a child
born in 1995. The Judicial Tribunal considered that the risk of occurrence of NDD in children born to a mother exposed to sodium
valproate during pregnancy was not demonstrated by the state of scientific knowledge at the time of her pregnancy. This
decision was appealed and the proceeding is now pending before the Appeal Court of Paris, which had ordered a stay in the
proceeding until the end of the criminal investigation.
Several questions on the Product Liability Directive have been referred to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU),
which will have an impact on the pending Depakine cases. A ruling from the CJEU is expected between September and
December 2025.
Since July 2020, a collective redress has been filed against the French affiliate representing as of December 2024 approximately
76 families (with 288 claimants including 111 people exposed in utero), seeking indemnification for a prejudice of anxiety. In August
2024, the court denied Sanofi’s request related to the stay of proceeding pending the CJEU ruling and rejected Sanofi's statute
of limitation arguments. In September 2024, Sanofi filed an appeal.
Criminal investigation
A criminal investigation was initiated in May 2015 before the Paris Civil Court. In January 2020, the French affiliate of Sanofi was
indicted for aggravated deception and involuntary injuries and in July 2020 for involuntary manslaughter. In July 2020, a judicial
supervision of the affiliate was ordered, together with the implementation of financial guarantees. In November 2020, the Health
Authority (ANSM) was similarly indicted for involuntary injuries and involuntary manslaughters.
On March 9, 2022, the Chambre de l’Instruction of the Appeal Court of Paris (Cour d’appel) ruled that certain complaints for
involuntary manslaughter and several others for aggravated deception and involuntary injuries were time-barred. The Public
Prosecutor, as well as the civil parties, have brought the matter before the Chambre Criminelle of the Supreme Court (Cour de
cassation). In September 2022, the investigating judges appointed two experts for a counter-expertise following the Chambre de
l’Instruction’s ruling handed down end of 2021. Since 2022, several individual medical assessments have been ordered by the
investigating judge.
In June 2023, the Chambre Criminelle of the French Supreme Court (Cour de cassation) confirmed the Paris Court of Appeal’s
decision (Chambre de l’Instruction) dated March 2022 which had ruled that certain complaints for involuntary manslaughter and
several others for aggravated deception and involuntary injuries were time-barred. In August 2023, Sanofi received the counter
expertise report and sent its comments in November 2023.
Public compensation scheme
In 2017, the French government set up a public compensation scheme to indemnify patients for damages suffered in connection
with the prescription of sodium valproate and its derivatives. The scheme was further amended through the 2020 Finance Law,
with notably the introduction of presumptions of failure to inform the mother since 1982 for malformations and since 1984 for
NDD. The scheme was amended again through the 2021 Finance Law in order to increase the maximum premium applicable in
the event of refusal to make an offer (or making an insufficient offer) where this would be deemed unjustified by a court ruling.
The committee of the compensation scheme has issued several final opinions holding the French affiliate liable for damages
either in full or in part along with the French State, and, in some cases, healthcare practitioners. The French affiliate disagreed
with the committee’s conclusions and has accordingly not offered indemnification to the claimants who have received
compensation from the ONIAM (Office National d’Indemnisation des Accidents Médicaux). The ONIAM is now seeking
reimbursement from Sanofi, which has filed legal actions to oppose ONIAM’s payment orders.
Administrative Actions
In July 2020, March and June 2021, the Montreuil Administrative Court held the French State liable in five administrative
proceedings initiated by families against the State. In March 2021, the Administrative Court did not find any failure to inform the
mother regarding the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders for births in 1999 and in 2002, based on the state of scientific
knowledge at the time. However, regarding the risk of malformations, liabilities were retained against the State, the healthcare
professionals and Sanofi, notably for discrepancy between the SmPC (Summary of the Product Characteristics) and the patient
leaflet. In other cases involving births in 2005-2008, the State was held liable both for malformations and neurodevelopmental
disorders but partially exonerated, taking into account the roles of healthcare practitioners and Sanofi. Given that the French
affiliate was not a party to these administrative proceedings, its arguments (including several requests from the French affiliate to
the Health Authorities to reinforce warnings to healthcare professionals and patients in relation to Depakine) were not
considered. All rulings were appealed by the claimants. Sanofi has filed requests for voluntary intervention in these proceedings
to present its arguments before the Administrative Court of Appeal, which has been granted for some of them. In one
proceeding, the claimants decided to withdraw their claims. In January 2025, the Paris Administrative Court of Appeal handed
down five rulings. In cases concerning births in 2006 onwards, the Court retained the State’s liability and no fault from Sanofi due
to the reiterated variation requests of the medicine’s information documents. In a case concerning births in 1999 and 2002, the
Court retained the State’s liability with a 50% liability retained for Sanofi.
It is not possible, at this stage, to make a reliable assessment of the outcome of these cases.
Depakine Product Litigation in other EU countries, in the UK and Switzerland
In Switzerland, eleven families have filed a civil claim for damages concerning seventeen people exposed in utero. Some of them
also involve the claimants’ physicians. In November 2022, one action was declared time-barred by the judge. The claimant
appealed this court decision on the merit. In November 2024, the court confirmed the first instance judgment. The claimant
appealed against this court decision to the Federal Tribunal (last Instance).
In Spain, there are seven ongoing actions relating to fifteen children. In March 2022, in one trial, the Court ordered Sanofi to
indemnify four patients. Sanofi appealed this decision. In January 2023, in another trial filed by one patient, the Appeal Court
confirmed the first instance's decision and dismissed the claim. As of December 2024, two actions are pending in front of the
Supreme Court and five are at the first instance stage.
In Belgium, there are two civil proceedings (currently on hold) and a criminal complaint against X and against Sanofi. In the
criminal complaint, the court ruled in September 2024 that the action was time-barred. Claimants have appealed.
In Ireland, there are two cases in Pre-Action stage and two civil claims ongoing.
In the United Kingdom, there is one case in the Pre-Action stage in Great Britain and one civil claim ongoing in Northern Ireland.
It is not possible, at this stage, to assess reliably the outcome of these cases.
Dengvaxia (Philippines)
From early 2018 up to present date, several claims have been filed in the Philippines by parents of deceased children whose
deaths were allegedly due to vaccination with Dengvaxia. In early March 2019 and in 2020 and 2022, the Philippine Department
of Justice (DOJ) prosecution panel announced it had found probable cause to indict several Sanofi employees/former employees
and former Government officials for “reckless imprudence” resulting in homicides. Since then, several criminal actions have been
filed in court as a result of this finding and are pending at various stages of the legal procedure. Petitions for Review to the DOJ
Secretary have been filed and the said petitions remain pending. Meanwhile, the majority of the respondents have challenged the
jurisdiction of the lower court where the first eight cases had been assigned and this issue was filed with the Supreme Court.
There are several claims that have not yet been filed in any court despite resolutions by the DOJ that there is probable cause.
In July 2024, the Court dismissed the first eight criminal cases, ruling the prosecution failed to establish the elements of “reckless
imprudence” resulting in homicide. Remaining cases are still pending at various stages.
b) Patents
Ramipril Canada Patent Litigation
Sanofi was involved in a number of legal proceedings involving companies which market generic Altace (ramipril) in
Canada. In 2004, Sanofi unsuccessfully brought Notice of Compliance proceedings (NOC proceedings) at the end of which
eight manufacturers obtained marketing authorizations from the Canadian Minister of Health for generic versions of ramipril in
Canada. Sanofi filed unsuccessful patent infringement actions against all those companies and ultimately Sanofi was liable for
damages under Section 8. Sanofi made payment in complete satisfaction of those awards.
In June 2011, Apotex commenced an action in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice asserting damages under the Ontario Statute
of Monopolies, the UK Statute of Monopolies, and the Trade-marks Act (the “Ontario Action”).
At the request of the parties, in June 2021 the Court ordered that the action be stayed in view of the lower court’s decision in
March in the Apotex vs. Lilly case. In the Lilly case, the Court dismissed Apotex’s Statute of Monopolies claim by way of summary
judgment. In April 2023, the Canadian Supreme Court denied Apotex’s application for leave to appeal in the Lilly case and based
on the Supreme Court decision, Apotex’s claim no longer has any basis. On February 6, 2025, Apotex formally discontinued the
case against Sanofi. Sanofi continues to pursue recovery of appropriate costs.
Praluent (alirocumab)-related Amgen Patent Litigation in the US
In 2014, Amgen filed four separate complaints against Sanofi and Regeneron in the US District Court for the District of Delaware
(“District Court”) asserting patent infringement relating to Sanofi and Regeneron’s Praluent product. Together these complaints
alleged that Praluent infringed seven patents for antibodies targeting PCSK9 and sought injunctive relief and unspecified
damages.
In February 2021, the Federal Circuit affirmed the District Court’s ruling invalidating the Amgen asserted patent claims.
In November 2021, Amgen filed a petition with the US Supreme Court, asking it to overturn the Federal Circuit decision.
On November 4, 2022, the US Supreme Court granted Amgen’s petition for review. In May 2023, the Supreme Court issued a
unanimous decision in favor of Sanofi and Regeneron regarding the patent infringement actions filed in 2014 by Amgen relating
to Sanofi and Regeneron’s Praluent product. Sanofi is in the process of seeking certain legal costs from Amgen, which is pending
before the District of Delaware Court.
Praluent (alirocumab)-related Amgen Patent Litigation in Europe
In June 2023, Amgen filed an action for infringement of EP 3 666 797 against Sanofi and Regeneron concerning Praluent in the
Munich Local Division of the Unified Patent Court. Amgen seeks a permanent injunction and unspecified damages and
compensation from March 1, 2023. In June 2023, Sanofi filed a revocation action attacking the validity of EP 3 666 797 in the
Munich Central Division of the Unified Patent Court. In this action, a decision on the Amgen patent’s validity was issued in July
2024, revoking Amgen’s patent, hence supporting Sanofi’s position. Amgen has appealed this decision, and the appeal is
underway. Amgen’s action for infringement in the Munich Local Division of the Unified Patent Court is suspended pending this
appeal.
Sanofi and Regeneron have also attacked the validity of the same EP 3 666 797 patent at the European Patent Office. These
proceedings are ongoing and a first instance oral hearing at the Opposition Division of the European Patent Office is scheduled in
March-April 2025.
Plavix Litigation (Commonwealth) in Australia
In August 2007, GenRX (a subsidiary of Apotex) obtained registration of a generic clopidogrel bisulfate product on the Australian
Register of Therapeutic Goods. At the same time, GenRX filed a patent invalidation action with the Federal Court of Australia,
seeking revocation of Sanofi’s Australian enantiomer patent claiming clopidogrel salts (a “nullity action”). In September 2007,
Sanofi obtained a preliminary injunction from the Federal Court preventing commercial launch of this generic clopidogrel
bisulfate product until judgment on the substantive issues of patent validity and infringement.
In August 2008, the Australian Federal Court confirmed that the claim in Sanofi’s Australian enantiomer patent directed to
clopidogrel bisulfate (the salt form in Plavix) was valid and the patent infringed. On appeal, the Full Federal Court of Australia held
in September 2009 that all claims in the patent are invalid. Sanofi’s appeal to the Australia High Court was denied in March 2010.
On conclusion of the proceedings in 2010, the Sanofi patent was invalidated.
In April 2013, the Australian Department of Health and Ageing (“Commonwealth”) filed an application before the Federal
Court of Australia seeking payment of damages from Sanofi related to the Apotex preliminary injunction.
Sanofi and BMS settled the patent litigation with Apotex in November 2014. In April 2020, the Commonwealth’s claim was
dismissed. In May 2020, the Commonwealth filed a Notice of Appeal to the Full Court of the Federal Court. On appeal, the
Commonwealth reduced its claim to a range of AUD223.3 million (€137.8 million) to AUD280.2 million (€172.9 million) which,
inclusive of interest to December 31, 2023, ranges from AUD360.5 million (€218.0 million) to AUD487.5 million (€294.3 million).
In June 2023, the Full Court of the Federal Court of Australia unanimously dismissed the Commonwealth’s appeal following its
application seeking payment of damages from Sanofi/BMS related to the preliminary injunction. On July 24, 2023,
the Commonwealth filed an application for special leave to appeal to the High Court of Australia, which was granted
on December 18, 2023. On December 11, 2024, the High Court of Australia dismissed the appeal from the June 2023 decision of
the Full Court of the Federal Court of Australia. The only outstanding issue in this matter is the enforcement of the costs order.
c) Other litigation
Plavix (clopidogrel) – Attorney General Action in Hawaii
In March 2014, the Hawaii Attorney General (AG) filed a complaint that sets forth allegations related to the sale and marketing of
and variability of response to Plavix. The Hawaii AG specifically alleged that Plavix had a diminished effect in patients of certain
genetic backgrounds and that Sanofi and BMS had failed to make an earlier disclosure of this information.
In February 2021, the Court issued its decision, imposing penalties in the total amount of $834 million against both Sanofi and
Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS), with $417 million being apportioned to each company. In June 2021, Sanofi and BMS appealed
this judgment. The appeal was transferred directly to the Hawaii Supreme Court. In March 2023, the Hawaii Supreme Court
vacated the judgment and ordered a new trial. A second trial was concluded in October 2023 and in 2024 a judgment was
rendered against the defendants for $916 million ($458 million against Sanofi). Sanofi and BMS have appealed this decision to the
Hawaii Supreme Court.
Plavix (clopidogrel)-related litigation in France
In France, in the claim concerning allegations that Sanofi’s communication and promotional practices inhibited the entry on
the market of generics of clopidogrel (the active ingredient of Plavix), the French Antitrust Authority issued its decision
on May 14, 2013, imposing on Sanofi a fine of €40.6 million. This decision was confirmed by the Supreme Court (Cour de
cassation) in 2016. As a consequence of the May 2013 ruling, claims were filed by Sandoz and by Teva in 2014 before the
Commercial Court of Paris for compensation of their alleged damages: loss of margin and other ancillary damages. In June and
November 2016 respectively, settlement agreements were entered into with Sandoz and Teva. Consequently, they subsequently
withdrew their civil claims, jointly and severally. In September 2017, Sanofi and its French affiliate received a summons before
the Paris Commercial Court from the French Caisse Nationale d’Assurance Maladie – CNAM (French Social Security)
claiming €115.8 million for their alleged damages. On October 1, 2019, the Paris Commercial Court dismissed the CNAM’s action as
time barred. On February 9, 2022, the Paris Court of Appeals overturned the Paris Commercial Court's ruling, finding the CNAM’s
action as not time-barred and designated an expert to determine the amount of damages. The expert report was issued in
March 2024. A judgment is expected in 2025.
340B Drug Pricing Program in the United States
Sanofi is currently involved in several matters relating to the 340B program in the US (a federal program that requires drug
manufacturers to supply certain products to certain “covered entities” at reduced prices). In 2021, Sanofi filed a lawsuit against
the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and certain
of their administrators in the US District Court for the District of New Jersey challenging (i) HHS’s December 2020 Advisory
Opinion (AO) stating that drug manufacturers are legally obligated to deliver discounts under the 340B program to an
unlimited number of contract pharmacies; (ii) HHS’s December 2020 Administrative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Rule; and
(iii) HRSA’s May 2021 letter to Sanofi concluding that Sanofi’s 340B integrity initiative (under which Sanofi collects limited, de-
identified, claims data on 340B-priced drugs dispensed by contract pharmacies) violates section 340B and that Sanofi has
therefore “overcharged” certain covered entities. The court issued its opinion in November 2021, upholding HRSA’s conclusion
in the May 2021 letter, but did not impose any fines, penalties or refund obligations against Sanofi for any “overcharges”. The
court also rejected Sanofi’s challenge to the ADR Rule and dismissed its challenge to the AO as moot. Sanofi appealed the
court’s decision to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals (Third Circuit) and the government filed a cross-appeal.
In January 2023, the Third Circuit held that Sanofi’s restrictions on delivery to contract pharmacies do not violate
Section 340B. It also enjoined HHS from enforcing against Sanofi its reading of Section 340B in the AO and the May 2021
violation letter. As to Sanofi’s challenge to the 340B ADR rule, the Third Circuit held that HHS did not violate the Administrative
Procedure Act in promulgating the ADR Rule (HHS revised and finalized a new ADR rule in April 2024). The Third Circuit
remanded the case back to the US District Court for the District of New Jersey (District Court) and on May 24, 2023, the
District Court issued an injunction and declaratory judgment consistent with the Third Circuit’s opinion. This ruling concluded
the case as to Sanofi. On May 21, 2024, the District Court Circuit, in cases brought by Novartis and United Therapeutics, issued
an opinion holding that Section 340B does not categorically prohibit manufacturers from imposing conditions on the
distribution of covered drugs to covered entities. The Court further held that the conditions at issue in the case did not violate
section 340B on their face and that the lower court had correctly set aside enforcement letters to Novartis and United
Therapeutics. On September 17, 2024, based on the District Court Circuit’s decision, the United States District Court for the
District of Columbia entered stipulated final judgments upholding contract pharmacy restrictions that Amgen, Boehringer
Ingelheim, Merck and UCB each placed in 2021. The rulings vacated letters that HRSA sent each drugmaker in 2021 or 2022
that declared their contract pharmacy restrictions illegal. A similar case, brought by Eli Lilly, remains pending in the Seventh
Circuit.
On May 31, 2024, Sanofi filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia against HHS and HRSA
under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) seeking an order declaring that Sanofi is entitled to covered entities’ pharmacy
contracts, requiring HRSA to produce the contracts and enjoining HRSA from withholding pharmacy contracts from Sanofi
pursuant to its FOIA request. The government has produced certain documents since the filing of the lawsuit. The government
responded to Sanofi’s complaint on August 2, 2024 and the parties completed summary judgment briefing on December 9, 2024.
In an effort to further mitigate 340B program fraud and abuse, in November 2024, Sanofi announced its intention to implement a
340B Credit Model, where Sanofi will provide credits to covered entities for the difference between the 340B price and the price
initially paid by the covered entity to reflect the 340B discount.  On December 16, 2024, Sanofi filed a lawsuit against HHS, HRSA
and their respective administrators, seeking a court order: (i) declaring that HHS’s letter informing Sanofi that its Credit Model
violates 340B is unlawful and setting it aside; (ii) declaring that Sanofi’s Credit Model complies with Section 340B; and
(iii) enjoining defendants from taking enforcement action against Sanofi relating to its Credit Model.  In January 2025, the court
entered a scheduling order.  Several manufacturers (including Johnson & Johnson, Eli Lilly, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Novartis) as
well as information technology company Kalderos have filed similar lawsuits in the District Court for the District of Columbia. 
ADR Proceedings
In January 2021, the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) filed an ADR proceeding before HRSA on
behalf of a number of covered entities, seeking to require Sanofi and AstraZeneca to supply contract pharmacies with 340B
discounts without conditions. On August 10, 2022, the ADR panel granted the motions to dismiss filed both by Sanofi and
AstraZeneca, holding that the Delaware district court’s decision granting AstraZeneca’s motion for summary judgment precluded
NACHC’s ADR claims against both AstraZeneca and Sanofi.
In September 2023, the University of Washington Medical Center and Harborview Medical Center filed a petition for monetary
and equitable relief against Sanofi before the ADR Panel. The petition alleges that Sanofi has violated Section 340B, by imposing
data reporting requirements on “Covered Entities” that are authorized under that statute to receive discounts on certain
prescription drugs and that in June 2023, Sanofi further restricted access to 340B discounted drugs. On August 14, 2024, HRSA
informed petitioner that the petition was complete. Sanofi’s response was submitted on December 11, 2024.
Enforcement Proceedings and Investigations
In September 2021, HRSA referred Sanofi (as well as other manufacturers) to the HHS Office of the Inspector General (OIG) in
accordance with the 340B Program Ceiling Price and Civil Monetary Penalties Final Rule. The Third Circuit’s decision and the
District Court’s injunction and declaratory judgment (described above) would preclude action against Sanofi based on the
particular program at issue in the Third Circuit case.
In February 2021, the Vermont Attorney General issued a Civil Investigative Subpoena seeking certain information about Sanofi’s
participation in the 340B program. Sanofi cooperated with this investigation, including producing documents to the Vermont
Attorney General’s office.
State Litigation
PhRMA and certain manufacturers have filed lawsuits challenging laws passed in certain states purporting to force manufacturers
to provide 340B-pricing to contract pharmacies in their respective states. Those cases are in various stages of litigation. The
most advanced of those cases, was brought by PhRMA challenging an Arkansas 340B law. In that case, the Eighth Circuit held on
March 12, 2024, that the Arkansas statute was not preempted by the federal 340B statute. On December 9, 2024, the Supreme
Court denied PhRMA’s petition for certiorari.
On July 23, 2024, Sanofi filed its own lawsuit challenging the Arkansas law. Sanofi seeks a declaratory judgment that the Arkansas
law is preempted to the extent it requires Sanofi to deliver 340B-priced drugs to contract pharmacies that obtain title to those
drugs in violation of federal law and to enjoin enforcement against Sanofi for its updated integrity initiative. This case is stayed
pending resolution of a case filed by AstraZeneca challenging the Arkansas law. In the interim, Arkansas has agreed not to pursue
enforcement action against Sanofi in connection with its updated integrity initiative.
In lawsuits filed by PhRMA and certain other manufacturers challenging a law passed by the State of West Virginia, the court
granted plaintiffs a preliminary injunction enjoining the State from enforcing its contract pharmacy law and denying defendants’
motion to dismiss the PhRMA action. The State of West Virginia has appealed that decision to the Fourth Circuit.
Mosaic Health
In July 2021, Mosaic Health Inc. and Central Virginia Health Services (covered entities) filed a nationwide antitrust class action
complaint against Sanofi and three other manufacturers in the United States District Court for the Western District of New York.
Plaintiffs allege that Sanofi and the other defendants conspired to eliminate favorable 340B pricing, particularly with respect to
diabetes therapies. On September 2, 2022, the court granted Defendants’ motion to dismiss the complaint. On October 3, 2022,
plaintiffs filed a motion for leave to file a second amended complaint, which the court denied on February 1, 2024. Plaintiffs filed
an appeal.
Adventist Health System/West
In June 2023, Adventist Health System/West sued several drug manufacturing companies, including Sanofi-Aventis US LLC,
Sanofi US Services Inc. and Genzyme Corporation, alleging that the companies violated state and federal False Claims Acts
through overcharging for 340B Program drugs in violation of federal “penny pricing” policy. The manufacturers jointly moved to
dismiss, which was granted by the court in March 2024. Plaintiffs filed an appeal.
Preliminary investigation by the Parquet National Financier (PNF) in France
In November 2023, Sanofi learnt through the press of an ongoing preliminary investigation by the French financial prosecutor
(Parquet National Financier – PNF) started in March 2023 relating to allegations regarding Sanofi’s financial communication on
the launch of Dupixent at the end of 2017. Sanofi considers these allegations as groundless and cooperated with the PNF to
respond to the potential questions relating to the investigation. In 2024, the PNF decided to close the case with no further action.
d) Contingencies arising from certain mergers & acquisitions transactions
As a result of divestitures, Sanofi is subject to a number of ongoing contractual and legal obligations regarding the state of the
sold businesses, their assets, and their liabilities, some of which may be subject to dispute.
Aventis CropScience Retained Liabilities
The sale by Aventis Agriculture SA and Hoechst GmbH (both legacy companies of Sanofi) of their aggregate 76% participation in
Aventis CropScience Holding (ACS) to Bayer and Bayer CropScience AG (BCS), the wholly owned subsidiary of Bayer which holds
the ACS shares, was effective on June 3, 2002. The Stock Purchase Agreement (SPA) dated October 2, 2001, contained
customary representations and warranties with respect to the sold business, as well as a number of indemnifications subject to
limitation periods and caps, in particular with respect to environmental liabilities for which some outstanding claims from Bayer
remain unresolved.
Infraserv Hoechst Retained Liabilities
By the Asset Contribution Agreement dated December 19/20, 1996, as amended in 1997, Hoechst contributed all land, buildings,
and related assets of the Hoechst site at Frankfurt Hoechst to Infraserv GmbH & Co. Hoechst KG. Infraserv Hoechst undertook to
indemnify Hoechst against environmental liabilities at the Hoechst site and with respect to certain landfills. As consideration for
the indemnification undertaking, Hoechst transferred to Infraserv Hoechst approximately €57 million to fund reserves. In 1997,
Hoechst also agreed it would reimburse current and future Infraserv Hoechst environmental expenses up to €143 million. As a
former operator of the land and as a former user of the landfills, Hoechst may ultimately be liable for costs of remedial action in
excess of this amount.