Global biopharmaceutical company Bristol-Myers Squibb and global healthcare company Sanofi have restructured their successful long-term alliance following the loss of exclusivity of Plavix and Avapro/Avalide in many major markets.

"This revised agreement simplifies operations and supports Bristol-Myers Squibb's ability to focus on delivering our promising, innovation-driven R&D portfolio and setting the foundation for future success," said Lamberto Andreotti, CEO, BMS.

The revised agreement, which will go into effect January 1, 2013, BMS will return to Sanofi its rights to Plavix and Avapro/Avalide in all markets worldwide with the exception of Plavix in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, giving Sanofi sole control and freedom to operate commercially. In exchange, BMS will receive royalty payments on Sanofi's sales of branded and unbranded Plavix worldwide, excluding the U.S. and Puerto Rico, and on sales of branded and unbranded Avapro/Avalide worldwide, in each case through 2018, and will receive a terminal payment of $200 million from Sanofi in December 2018. Plavix rights in the U.S. and Puerto Rico will continue unchanged under the terms of the existing agreement through December 2019.

"Our alliance with Bristol-Myers Squibb has been extremely successful and value-generating for both partners," said Hanspeter Spek, president of global operations, Sanofi. "The revised agreement further supports Sanofi's strategic priorities while continuing to offer the clinical benefits of these well-established products to millions of patients around the world."

In addition, ongoing disputes between the companies related to the alliance have been resolved. The resolution of these disputes includes various commitments by both companies, including a one-time payment of $80 million by BMS to Sanofi in relation to the Avalide supply disruption in the U.S. in 2011.