Aventis Pharma renamed as Sanofi India

Sanofi Group's listed entity in India, today announced that the Registrar of Companies had approved the company's change of name from Aventis Pharma Ltd to 'Sanofi India Ltd', with effect from May 11.

The shareholders of the company had earlier approved the name change at the annual general meeting held on May 3, a company statement said here.

ommenting on the name change, Dr Shailesh Ayyangar, Managing Director, said, "Just like Sanofi Group, the company in India is also evolving and diversifying at the same time. The new name reflects Sanofi's ambition to become a diversified global healthcare leader focused on patients' needs and the synergy between the Group and local entity."

The decision to change the name of the Group's listed entity in India comes a year after the name of the parent company was changed globally from Sanofi-Aventis to Sanofi in May 2011.

"The change in name of the listed entity to Sanofi India Limited will also provide a common identity to the Sanofi Group across the world," Ayyangar said.

In 1956, the company was incorporated as Hoechst Fedco Pharmaceutical Private Limited. From there on, the company's name was changed to Hoechst Pharmaceuticals Private Limited; Hoechst India Limited and Hoechst Marion Roussel Limited in the years 1959, 1984 and 1996 respectively. In 2001, Aventis Pharma Limited became the Group's listed entity in India.