Several generic versions of BMS’s blockbuster blood thinning drug Plavix (clopidogrel) have been released in the US after patent protection expired.

The FDA has approved a number of manufacturers that are now able to supply the treatment, which generated sales of $6.8 billion in the US last year for BMS and its partner Sanofi.

BMS, which earned a third of its revenue from Plavix, said last week it would no longer promote the drug following the loss of patent protection.

However, it will reduce the monthly cost of the treatment from $100 to $37 in an attempt to hold some market share, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Mylan Pharmaceuticals is in the driving seat to take advantage of BMS’ loss with the generic manufacturer ready to ship its products across the country.

Alongside Mylan, Teva, Apotex, Aurobindo Pharma, Roxane Laboratories, Sun Pharmaceuticals Industries, Torrent Pharmaceuticals, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories and Gate Pharmaceuticals have also been approved by the FDA to supply clopidogrel.

An increase in sales at the ‘new Genzyme’ helped Sanofi’s business EPS grow by 7.2% as revenue topped €8.5bn in the first three months of 2012.

Sales of growth platforms, which include Genzyme, were €5.38bn and accounted for 63.2% of total sales, up from 59.2% in Q1 2011, despite global generic competition on Plavix and Aprovel.

Christopher Viehbacher, Sanofi CEO, said the “strong performance” in the first quarter was “driven by Genzyme, our growth platforms, and cost savings”.

However, Sanofi still expects profits to be down by around 12% to 15% on last year’s figures as a result of generic exposure of major brands.

Overall sales were up 7% compared to the same period last year after revenue in emerging markets increased by nearly a tenth (9.9%), and its pharmaceuticals division was boosted by increased sales in its diabetes and oncology businesses.

First quarter sales in pharmaceuticals reached €7.3bn, an increase of 8.8%, driven by the performance of diabetes drug Lantus which saw sales rise 17.2% to €1.1bn. But generic competition on Plavix, Lovenox and Taxotere hit sales, despite increased demand for Apidra, Eloxatin and Jevtana.

The ‘new Genzyme’ recorded sales of €400m in Q1 – up by 13.7%. Sales of Fabrazyme were up by half to €47m, with Cerezyme up by 5.8% to €149m and sales of Myozyme/Lumizyme also increasing by 17% to €112m.

Sanofi’s own generics business generated an increase of sales after the recent launch of the authorised generic Lovenox saw revenue grow by 6.5% to €439m.

Vaccine sales were down slightly (0.2%) to €617m after the delayed timing of supply of flu vaccines in the Southern Hemisphere. However, the news was better for Sanofi’s consumer health division as it achieved record sales of €805m.

Sanofi is set to cut up to 450 jobs after deciding to close its manufacturing plant in Fawdon, Newcastle by 2015.

The plant produces billions of tablets each year but will close after Sanofi suffered a decline in European sales last year and generic competition to Plavix.

In a statement, Sanofi said the move had been made “in the context of an adverse economic climate and the challenging pharmaceutical market in Europe”.

It is understood the company is now beginning a 90-day consultation period with staff and unions.

Products including Plavix, Xatral and Epilem are currently manufactured at the site. Sanofi opened a new packaging plant at the site in 2009, bringing its investment to £100m in more than eight years.

However, it suffered a reduction in sales of Plavix last year, which were down from €641m in 2010 to €414m in 2011.

“Under the proposal the plant, which makes solid dose oral medications mainly for UK and European markets, would be scheduled to close by mid-2015,” said the statement.

“The products manufactured at the Fawdon site have been adversely impacted by other factors, including generic competition, resulting in a fall in demand and production volumes.”

Staff, upon hearing the announcement, left the plant in tears. Unite’s Bob Bolam said the decision had come as a surprise to employees and the union. “We are looking to work with the company to mitigate any losses and to help the surrounding area which is obviously going to be devastated by the loss of the jobs,” he said.

Sanofi currently employs around 1,800 people in the UK, including 300 staff at its UK headquarters in Guildford.