Sanofi's Zentiva buy cleared, on conditions; PPF takes action to prevent deal

French drug major Sanofi-Aventis has received European Commission approval for its 1.8 billion-euro ($2.3 billion) acquisition of Czech  generic firm Zentiva. In order to address the Commission's antitrust  concerns, Sanofi will divest several drugs in various regions: Maalox in  Romania; Ercefuryll in the Czech Republic; and Trental, also in the  Czech Republic, Slovakia and Estonia, as well as Zentiva's: Papaverinium  in Hungary; Scobutil and Sulfatde Atropina in Romania; Flavobion in the  Czech Republic and Slovakia; Vasocardin, Betaxa and Tenoloc in the Czech  Republic; Fokusin, Penester and Zoxon in Estonia; Zopiclon in Bulgaria;  and Hypnogen in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Estonia. The products  generated 18.0 million euros in 2007 and Sanofi stresses that the  Zentiva drugs only comprise 3% of the company's business. Not everyone  is happy with the merger, however, as Zentiva shareholder PPF has  commenced legal action to dismiss the Czech firm's directors and prevent  the deal.