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United States
Securities and Exchange Commission

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

Form 11-K

 

(Mark One)

 

x        Annual Report Pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011

 

OR

 

o        Transition Report Pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

For the transition period from                                    to

 

Commission File Number 1-18378

 

A.                 Full title of the plan and the address of the plan, if different from that of the issuer named below:

 

sanofi-aventis U.S. Savings Plan

55 Corporate Drive
Bridgewater, NJ 08807-5925

 

B.                   Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to the plan and the address of its principal executive office:

 

SANOFI

54, rue La Boétie
75008 Paris, France

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

sanofi-aventis U.S. Savings Plan

Financial Statements and Supplemental Schedule

December 31, 2011 and 2010

 



Table of Contents

 

sanofi-aventis U.S. Savings Plan

Index

 

 

Page(s)

 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

1

 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

2-3

 

 

Financial Statements

 

 

 

Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits December 31, 2011 and 2010

4

 

 

Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits Year Ended December 31, 2011

5

 

 

Notes to Financial Statements December 31, 2011 and 2010

6–17

 

 

Supplemental Schedule*

 

 

 

Schedule H, Line 4i — Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year) December 31, 2011

18

 

 

Signatures

19

 

 

Exhibits

 

 

 

23.1 Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

 

23.2 Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 


*            Other schedules required by Section 2520.103-10 of the Department of Labor Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, are omitted because they are not applicable.

 



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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Participants and Administrator of
sanofi-aventis U.S. Savings Plan

 

In our opinion, the accompanying statement of net assets available for benefits and the related statement of changes in net assets available for benefits present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of sanofi-aventis U.S. Savings Plan (the “Plan”) at December 31, 2011, and the changes in net assets available for benefits for the year ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plan’s management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.  We conducted our audit of these statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.  The financial statements of the Plan as of and for the year ended December 31, 2010 were audited by other auditors whose report dated June 24, 2011, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.

 

Our audit was conducted for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic financial statements taken as a whole.  The supplemental schedule of assets (held at end of year) is presented for the purpose of additional analysis and is not a required part of the basic financial statements but is supplementary information required by the Department of Labor’s Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.  The supplemental schedule is the responsibility of the Plan’s management.  The supplemental schedule has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audit of the basic financial statements and, in our opinion, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole.

 

 

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

New York, New York

June 26, 2012

 



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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

The Pension Committee
sanofi-aventis U.S. Savings Plan

 

We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits of the sanofi-aventis U.S. Savings Plan as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the related statements of changes in net assets available for benefits for the years then ended.  These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plan’s management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement.  We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Plan’s internal control over financial reporting.  Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Plan’s internal control over financial reporting.  Accordingly, we express no such opinion.  An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of the Plan at December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the changes in its net assets available for benefits for the years then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 



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Our audits were performed for the purpose of forming an opinion on the financial statements taken as a whole.  The accompanying supplemental schedule of assets (held at end of year) as of December 31, 2010 is presented for purposes of additional analysis and is not a required part of the financial statements but is supplementary information required by the Department of Labor’s Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.  This supplemental schedule is the responsibility of the Plan’s management.  The supplemental schedule has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in our audits of the financial statements and, in our opinion, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the financial statements taken as a whole.

 

 

/s/Ernst & Young, LLP

Metropark, New Jersey

June 24, 2011

 



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sanofi-aventis U.S. Savings Plan

Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits

December 31, 2011 and 2010

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Plan interest in the sanofi-aventis U.S. Savings Master Trust, at fair value

 

$

2,311,522,188

 

$

2,454,376,364

 

Receivables

 

 

 

 

 

Income receivable

 

 

1,207,706

 

Contributions receivable from participating employee

 

 

5,698

 

Contributions receivable from employer, net of forfeitures

 

6,467,114

 

7,521,626

 

Notes receivable from participants

 

27,941,047

 

32,171,753

 

Total receivable

 

34,408,161

 

40,906,783

 

Total assets

 

2,345,930,349

 

2,495,283,147

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Accrued administrative expenses

 

254,464

 

7,181

 

Net assets available for benefits, at fair value

 

2,345,675,885

 

2,495,275,966

 

Adjustment from fair value to contract value for fully benefit responsive investment contracts

 

(17,216,044

)

(13,737,045

)

Net assets available for benefits

 

$

2,328,459,841

 

$

2,481,538,921

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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sanofi-aventis U.S. Savings Plan

Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits

Year Ended December 31, 2011

 

Addition to net assets attributed to

 

 

 

Contributions

 

 

 

Employee

 

$

90,270,533

 

Employer

 

78,448,168

 

Investment income

 

 

 

Net investments income (loss) allocated from Master Trust

 

(19,259,878

)

Transfer from other plans

 

84,339

 

Plan merger

 

1,394,218

 

Interest on notes receivable from participants

 

1,424,048

 

Total additions

 

152,361,428

 

Deductions from net assets attributed to

 

 

 

Distributions

 

304,395,824

 

Fees and administrative expenses

 

830,258

 

Transfer to other plans

 

214,426

 

Total deductions

 

305,440,508

 

Increase in net assets available for benefits

 

(153,079,080

)

Net assets available for benefits

 

 

 

Beginning of year

 

2,481,538,921

 

End of year

 

$

2,328,459,841

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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sanofi-aventis U.S.Savings Plan

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2011 and 2010

 

1.                            Description of the Plan

 

The following description of the sanofi-aventis U.S. Savings Plan (the “Plan”) provides only general information.  Participants should refer to the Plan document for a more complete description of the Plan’s provisions.

 

Plan Description

 

The Plan is a defined contribution plan that covers substantially all employees of Sanofi US Services Inc. and sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC (the “Company”) as they meet the prescribed eligibility requirements.  All employees are eligible to participate in the Plan beginning on the first day of employment.  The Plan is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”).

 

Master Trust

 

Effective July 1, 2010, sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC, Sanofi Pasteur Inc., sanofi-aventis Puerto Rico Inc. and T. Rowe Price Trust Company entered into an amended and restated Master Trust Agreement creating the sanofi-aventis U.S. Savings Master Trust (the “Master Trust”) to serve as the funding vehicle for the Plan.  Accordingly, the assets of the Plan are maintained, for investment purposes and administrative purpose only, on a commingled basis with the assets of the other plans of the employers within the parent company.  The investments included in the Master Trust are equities, mutual funds, commingled funds, and guaranteed investments contracts.  No plan has any interest in the specific assets of the Master Trust, but maintains beneficial interests in such assets.  The portion of assets, net earnings, gains and/or losses and administrative expenses allocable to each plan is based upon the relationship of the plan’s beneficial interest in the Master Trust to the total beneficial interest of all plans in the Master Trust (Note 3).

 

Trustee and Recordkeeper

 

The T. Rowe Price Trust Company is the Plan’s trustee (the “Trustee”).  The Trustee is party to the Master Trust Agreement discussed above which governs and maintains the Plan’s commingled assets, as well as a general trust agreement for all other Plan operations.  T. Rowe Price Retirement Plan Services Inc. is the Plan’s recordkeeper (Note 6).

 

Plan Administration

 

The sanofi-aventis U.S. Administrative Committee (the “Committee” or “Plan Administrator”), as appointed by the Sanofi-Aventis U.S. Pension Committee, is responsible for the general administration of the Plan.  The Board of Directors has appointed the Trustee with the responsibility for the administration of the Master Trust Agreement and the management of the assets.

 

Participant Accounts

 

Each participant’s account is credited with the participant’s contributions and allocations of the Company’s matching contributions and Plan earnings, and is charged with an allocation of administrative expenses.  Allocations are based on participant earnings or account balances.  Forfeited balances of terminated participants’ nonvested accounts are used to reduce future company contributions.  Unallocated forfeitures balances as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 were approximately $35,835 and $1,450,000, respectively.  During 2011, forfeitures of $2,037,690 were used to offset 2010 employer matching contributions to the Plan.  In 2012, forfeitures of $850,000 were used to offset employer matching contributions relating to 2011.  The benefit to which a participant is entitled upon leaving the Company is the benefit that can be provided from the participant’s account.

 

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sanofi-aventis U.S.Savings Plan

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2011 and 2010

 

Contributions

 

The Plan provides that participants may make elective deferral contributions, which allows participants to save up to 30% of their eligible pay for 2011 and 2010 in whole percentages (up to the allowable IRS annual maximum — $16,500 for 2011 and 2010, respectively) on a pre-tax basis, pursuant to Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 401(k).  Employees of 50 years old or older may make an additional catch-up contribution of up to $5,500 for both of 2011 and 2010.  After tax contributions of up to 70% of eligible pay are also available.

 

Plan participants may make a direct or indirect rollover contribution to the Plan from a former employer’s tax qualified plan.  Participants can also rollover IRA distributions (excluding minimum required distributions and nondeductible contributions).

 

The Company provides a matching contribution based upon a participant’s years of service and the total amount of their pre tax, after-tax, and catch-up contributions. The Company match contribution is limited to a maximum of 6% of eligible compensation in 3 tiers according to service years shown in the table below:

 

 

 

Company

 

Years of Service

 

Match Tiers

 

 

 

 

 

0–2

 

100

%

3–6

 

125

%

7 years or more

 

150

%

 

There are certain defined limitations on the amount of contributions that may be credited to a participant’s account and the annual amount of the Company contribution is limited to the maximum deductible for federal income tax purposes.

 

Upon plan enrollment, a participant may direct employee contributions into any of the Plan’s fund choices.  Participants may change their investment choices at any time.  The Company’s contributions are allocated in the same manner as that of the participant’s elective contributions.

 

Vesting

 

Participants are always 100% vested in their pre-tax, catch up, and after-tax contribution accounts (contributions and related earnings).  Employees who were participants on or before December 31, 2005 are 100% vested in their Company matching contribution account (contribution and related earnings).  Employees hired on or after January 1, 2006 are 100% vested in their Company matching contribution account after three years of service.

 

Distributions

 

Plan participants who leave the Company as a result of death, disability, retirement, or termination may choose one or a combination of the following distribution methods: receive the entire amount of their vested account balance in one lump-sum payment or receive the distribution in the form of recurring annual installments over a period of between three and fifteen years.  If a participant dies, the participant’s designated beneficiary will receive the payments.

 

In-service withdrawals are available in certain limited circumstances, as defined by the Plan.

 

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sanofi-aventis U.S.Savings Plan

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2011 and 2010

 

Participant Loans

 

Plan participants may borrow from $1,000 up to a maximum equal to the lesser of 50% of the value of their vested account balance or $50,000 less their highest outstanding loan balance in the preceding 12 months, subject to certain limitations described in the plan document.  Loans bear interest at a rate commensurate with the prevailing market rate, as determined by the Company.  Currently, interest rates associated with participant loans range from 4.25% to 10.50%.  Loan balances are payable in semi-monthly installments generally over a term of up to five years.  A participant may not have more than three loans outstanding at any point in time.  Extended terms of up to 15 years are available should the loan relate to the purchase of a primary residence.

 

Administrative Expenses

 

All external third party expenses and internal expenses relating to the administration of the Master Trust and managing the funds established thereunder are borne by the participating plans, unless they are paid by the Company.  Brokerage commissions, transfer taxes and other charges incurred in connection with the purchase and sale of securities are paid out of the funds to which such charge are attributable.

 

Transfers From/to Other Plans

 

Effective January 1, 2011, plan transfers from Puerto Rico plans within the control group of companies are not allowed.  Transfers relating to the plan years prior to 2011 from Puerto Rico Plan were $84,339 and $961,844 for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  Transfers relating to plan years prior to 2011 from the Plan to Puerto Rico Plan were $214,426 and $17,346 for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

Plan Merger

 

Effective December 31, 2010, the TargeGen Savings Plan (“TargeGen Plan”) was merged into the Plan resulting in a net asset transfer of $1,394,218 into the Plan’s assets on January 3, 2011.  Also effective December 31, 2011, Nationwide Trust Company, FSB was terminated as trustee for the TargeGen Plan and the Trustee for the Plan was authorized and directed as the Trustee for the assets of the merged TargeGen Plan.

 

2.                            Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Basis of Accounting

 

The financial statements of the Plan have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting.

 

Benefit Payments

 

Benefits are recorded when paid.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements, accompanying notes and supplemental schedule.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Investment Valuation

 

For investment and administrative purposes, the Plan’s assets are custodied in the Master Trust.  The plan’s investment in the Master Trust represents the Plan’s interest in the net assets of the Master Trust.  The Plan’s interest in the Master Trust is stated at fair value and is based on the beginning of year value of the Plan’s interest in the trust plus actual contributions and allocated investment income or loss less actual distributions and allocated administrative expenses.

 

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sanofi-aventis U.S.Savings Plan

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2011 and 2010

 

Notes Receivable From Participants

 

Notes receivables from participants are recorded when paid.

 

Risks and Uncertainties

 

The Plan provides for various investment options representing varied combinations of stocks, bonds, fixed income securities, mutual funds and other investment securities.  Investment securities are exposed to various risks, such as interest rate, market volatility and credit risks.  Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in the values of investment securities will occur in the near term and that such changes could materially affect participants’ account balances and the amounts reported in the Statements of Net Assets available for Benefits.

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

 

In January 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2010-06, Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements (ASU 2010-06).  ASU 2010-06 amended Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 820 to clarify certain existing fair value disclosures and require a number of additional disclosures.  The guidance in ASU 2010-06 clarified that disclosures should be presented separately for each “class” of assets and liabilities measured at fair value and provided guidance on how to determine the appropriate classes of assets and liabilities to be presented.  ASU 2010-06 also clarified the requirement for entities to disclose information about both the valuation techniques and inputs used in estimating Level 2 and Level 3 fair value measurements.  In addition, ASU 2010-06 introduced new requirements to disclose the amounts (on a gross basis) and reasons for any significant transfers between Levels 1, 2 and 3 of the fair value hierarchy and present information regarding the purchases, sales, issuances and settlements of Level 3 assets and liabilities on a gross basis.  Since ASU 2010-06 only affects fair value measurement disclosures, adoption of ASU 2010-06 did not affect the Plan’s net assets available for benefits or its changes in net assets available for benefits.

 

In May 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2011-04, Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRS (ASU 2011-04).  ASU 2011-04 amended ASC 820 to converge the fair value measurement guidance in US generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).  Some of the amendments clarify the application of existing fair value measurement requirements, while other amendments change a particular principle in ASC 820.  In addition, ASU 2011-04 requires additional fair value disclosures although certain of these new disclosures will not be required for nonpublic entities.  The amendments are to be applied prospectively and are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011.  Plan management is currently evaluating the effect that the provisions of ASU 2011-04 will have on the Plan’s financial statements.

 

3.                            Investments in Plan Master Trust

 

At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Master Trust comprises the investment assets of the Plan, sanofi-aventis Puerto Rico Savings Plan and Sanofi Pasteur Inc. 401(k) Plan.  Certain investment assets of the Master Trust, related earnings (losses) and expenses are allocated to the plans participating in the Master Trust based upon the total of each individual participant’s share of the Master Trust.

 

In July 2010, all investments held within the Plan were placed into the Master Trust as part of the consolidation of assets with the Sanofi Pasteur Inc. 401(k) Plan assets and the amendment and restatement of the Master Trust Agreement.

 

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sanofi-aventis U.S.Savings Plan

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2011 and 2010

 

At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Plan’s interest in the Master Trust was approximately 84.0% and 85.5%, respectively.

 

The Master Trust is comprised of the following types of investments, at fair value, as of December 31, 2011 and 2010:

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments

 

 

 

 

 

Common and commingled trusts

 

 

 

 

 

Retirement date trusts(a)

 

$

1,705,744,651

 

$

1,854,522,917

 

U.S. and international equities

 

187,051,810

 

159,878,828

 

Separately managed accounts

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. and international equities

 

110,485,079

 

137,599,143

 

Company stock

 

78,705,563

 

71,474,580

 

Mutual funds

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed income securities

 

159,312,780

 

168,349,734

 

U.S. and international equities

 

61,364,917

 

64,626,402

 

Money market

 

722,574

 

2,117,596

 

Stable value investments(b)

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term investment fund(c)

 

44,429,519

 

33,203,702

 

Synthetic investment contracts

 

368,296,867

 

351,350,386

 

Guaranteed investment contracts

 

36,372,475

 

27,670,752

 

Total assets

 

2,752,486,235

 

2,870,794,040

 

Adjustment from fair value to contract value for fully benefit-responsive investment contracts

 

(18,435,293

)

(14,415,410

)

 

 

$

2,734,050,942

 

$

2,856,378,630

 

 


(a)         This category includes investments in a blend of diversified funds designed to remain appropriate for investors in terms of risk throughout a variety of life circumstances gauged upon an expected retirement date.  The funds share the common goal of growing principal in earlier years and then later preserving the principal balance closer to an expected retirement date.

 

(b)         This fund is primarily invested in guaranteed investment contracts and synthetic investment contracts.  Participant-directed redemptions have no restrictions; however, the Plan is required to provide a one-year redemption notice to liquidate its entire share in the fund.  The fair value of this fund has been estimated based on the fair value of the underlying investment contracts in the fund as reported by the issuer of the fund.  The fair value differs from the contract value which is the relevant measurement basis attributable to fully benefit-responsive investment contracts because contract value is the amount participants would receive if they were to initiate permitted transactions under the terms of the Plan.

 

(c)          This category includes a common/collective trust fund that is designed to protect capital with low-risk investments and includes cash, bank notes, corporate notes, government bills and various short-term debt instruments.  There are currently no redemption restrictions on this investment.  The fair value of the investment in this category has been estimated using the net asset value per share.

 

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sanofi-aventis U.S.Savings Plan

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2011 and 2010

 

The Master Trust’s investment income for the year ended December 31, 2011 is presented in the following table.  The net appreciation (depreciation) consists of both realized gain (loss) on investment bought and sold, as well as, the changes in unrealized gains (losses) on the investments held during the year by the Master Trust.

 

Net appreciation (depreciation) in fair value of investments

 

 

 

Company stock

 

$

9,666,587

 

Mutual funds

 

(4,906,189

)

Common and commingled trusts

 

(33,867,435

)

Separate accounts

 

(19,995,328

)

Net appreciation (depreciation)

 

(49,102,365

)

Dividend income

 

9,304,576

 

Interest income

 

13,715,213

 

Total investment income (loss)

 

$

(26,082,576

)

 

Investment Valuation and Income Recognition — Master Trust

 

Master Trust investments are stated at fair value.  Investments in mutual funds are valued at the published net asset value of shares held at year end.  Investments in commingled funds are stated at fair value based on unit values provided by the administrator, which are based on market values of underlying investments.  Common stock is valued at the last closing price at end of the year.  Short term securities are valued at amortized cost which includes cost plus accrued interest, which approximates fair value.  Traditional GICs are stated at fair value based on a discounted cash flow method.  The fair value of synthetic GICs equals the total of the fair value of the underlying assets plus the total wrap rebid value.

 

Securities transactions are recorded on the trade-date (the day the order to buy or sell is executed).  Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis, and dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date.

 

Guaranteed Investment Contracts

 

The Master Trust entered into benefit-responsive investment contracts in the Stable Value Fund which invest primarily in investment contracts issued by high-quality insurance companies and banks as rated by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (investment advisor).  Contract values represent contributions made to the investment contracts plus earnings, less participant withdrawals and administrative expenses.  These are interest bearing contracts in which the principal and interest are guaranteed by the issuing companies.  The contracts are considered fully benefit-responsive and are comprised of traditional guaranteed investment contracts and synthetic contracts (“GICs”).  These investments contracts are recorded at fair value; however since these contracts are fully-benefit responsive an adjustment is reflected in the statement of net assets available for benefits to present these investments at contract value.  Contract value is the relevant measurement attributable to fully-benefit responsive investment contracts because contract value is the amount participants would receive if they were to initiate permitted transactions under the terms of the Plan.

 

The fair value of traditional GICs equals the total of the fair value of the underlying assets calculated using the present value of contract cash flows.  The fair value of synthetic GICs equals the total of the fair value of the underlying assets plus the total wrap rebid value.  The wrap rebid value is $335,050 and $650,070 at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

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sanofi-aventis U.S.Savings Plan

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2011 and 2010

 

The issuers of the synthetic GICs are contractually obligated to repay the principal and a specified interest rate that is guaranteed to the Plan.  The fund deposits a lump sum with the issuer and receives a guaranteed interest rate for a specified time.  Interest is accrued on either a simple interest or fully compounded basis and paid either periodically or at the end of the contract term.  There are currently no reserves against contract values for credit risk of the contract issuers or otherwise and do not permit the insurance companies to terminate the agreement prior to the scheduled maturity date.  Each contract is subject to early termination penalties that may be significant.

 

Certain events could limit the ability of the Plan to transact at contract value with the issuer.  Such events include the following: (i) amendments to the plan documents (including complete or partial plan termination or merger with another plan); (ii) changes to plan’s prohibition on competing investment options or deletion of equity wash provisions; (iii) bankruptcy of the plan sponsor or other plan sponsor events (e.g. divestures or spin-offs of a subsidiary) which cause a significant withdrawal from the Plan or (iv) the failure of the trust to qualify for exemption from federal income taxes or any required prohibited transaction exemption under ERISA.  The Plan Administrator does not believe that the occurrence of any such event, which would limit the Plan’s ability to transact at contract value with participants, is probable.

 

The average crediting rate for the investment contracts was 3.46% and 4.18% and the average yield was 3.30% and 3.58% during 2011 and 2010, respectively.  The Plan’s interest in the GICs within the Master Trust was approximately 93% and 95% at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

The accounting guidance defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (i.e., an exit price).  The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value.  The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3).  The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

 

Level 1                              Inputs to the valuation methodology are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Plan has the ability to access.

 

Level 2                              Inputs to the valuation methodology include:

 

·                       Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;

 

·                       Quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets;

 

·                       Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability;

 

·                       Inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

 

If the asset or liability has a specified (contractual) term, the Level 2 input must be observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

 

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sanofi-aventis U.S.Savings Plan

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2011 and 2010

 

Level 3                              Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.  Level 3 inputs include management’s own assumption about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability (including assumptions about risk).

 

The asset’s or liability’s fair value measurement level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  The valuation technique used needs to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.

 

Following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for assets measured at fair value.  There have been no changes in the methodologies used at December 31, 2011.  All of the Plan’s assets are invested in the Master Trust.

 

Mutual Funds

 

Valued at the net asset value (NAV) of shares held by the Master Trust at year end, which are based on quoted market prices.  They are classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy.

 

Guaranteed Investment Contracts

 

Valued at fair value by discounting the related cash flows based on current yields of a similar instrument with comparable durations considering the credit-worthiness of the issuer.  The traditional GICs are classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy.

 

Synthetic Guaranteed Investment Contracts

 

The fair value of the synthetic guaranteed investment contracts is based on the underlying investments.  As of December 31, 2011, the investments underlying the synthetic guaranteed investment contracts were approximately 38% corporate securities, 35% asset backed securities, 12% agency debt securities, and 14% in US treasury securities, 1% in other securities, which are publically traded.  As of December 31, 2010, the investments underlying the synthetic guaranteed investment contracts were approximately 42% corporate securities, 32% asset backed securities, 10% agency debt securities, 12% in US treasury securities and 4% in other investments, which are publically traded.  The value of the wrapper contracts is determined using rebid rates from the wrapper provider, and is included in the synthetic guaranteed investment contracts amount of the Master Trust shown below.  The synthetic GICs are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.

 

Company Stock and Other Common Stocks

 

Valued at the publicly traded price of equity securities held in all of the Master Trust’s separate accounts.  Company stock and other common stocks are classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy.

 

Common and Commingled Trust Funds

 

These investments are public investment vehicles consisting of target date funds and equity index funds.  These funds permit daily redemptions of units and are valued using the NAV provided by the administrator of the fund.  The NAV is based on the value of underlying assets owned by the fund, less its liabilities, and then divided by the number of units outstanding.  The NAV is a quoted price in a market that is not active and classified within Level 2 of valuation hierarchy.

 

Short-Term Investments

 

Short-term investments include corporate debt instruments, U.S. government and federal agency obligations, U.S. government-sponsored enterprise obligations, and Other.  Short term investments are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.

 

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sanofi-aventis U.S.Savings Plan

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2011 and 2010

 

The methods described above may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values.  Furthermore, while the Plan believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with ASC 820 guidance, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date.

 

The availability of observable market data is monitored to assess the appropriate classification of financial instruments within the fair value hierarchy.  Changes in economic conditions or model-based valuation techniques may require the transfer of financial instruments from one fair value level to another.  In such instances, the transfer is reported at the end of the reporting period.

 

The following table sets forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy as described in Note 3, the Master Trust assets at fair value as of December 31, 2011 and 2010:

 

 

 

2011

 

 

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common and commingled trusts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retirement date trusts

 

$

 

$

1,705,744,651

 

$

 

$

1,705,744,651

 

U.S. equities

 

 

157,052,391

 

 

157,052,391

 

International equities

 

 

29,999,419

 

 

29,999,419

 

Separately managed accounts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

International common stocks

 

82,953,259

 

 

 

82,953,259

 

Small Cap common stocks

 

7,901,899

 

 

 

7,901,899

 

Mid Cap common stocks

 

19,629,921

 

 

 

19,629,921

 

Company stock

 

78,705,563

 

 

 

78,705,563

 

Mutual funds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed income funds

 

159,312,780

 

 

 

159,312,780

 

U.S. and international funds, tradelink

 

61,364,917

 

 

 

61,364,917

 

Money market

 

722,574

 

 

 

722,574

 

Stable value fund

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term investment fund

 

 

44,429,519

 

 

44,429,519

 

Synthetic guaranteed investment contracts

 

 

368,296,867

 

 

368,296,867

 

Guaranteed investment contracts

 

 

 

36,372,475

 

36,372,475

 

Total assets at fair value

 

$

410,590,913

 

$

2,305,522,847

 

$

36,372,475

 

$

2,752,486,235

 

 

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sanofi-aventis U.S.Savings Plan

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2011 and 2010

 

 

 

2010*

 

 

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common and commingled trusts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retirement date trusts

 

$

 

$

1,854,522,917

 

$

 

$

1,854,522,917

 

U.S. equities

 

 

 

130,104,096

 

 

130,104,096

 

International equities

 

 

 

29,774,733

 

 

29,774,733

 

Separate accounts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

International common stocks

 

110,820,279

 

 

 

110,820,279

 

Small Cap common stocks

 

19,674,432

 

 

 

19,674,432

 

Mid Cap common stocks

 

7,104,431

 

 

 

7,104,431

 

Company stock

 

71,474,580

 

 

 

71,474,580

 

Mutual funds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed income securities

 

168,349,734

 

 

 

168,349,734

 

U.S. and international equities

 

64,626,402

 

 

 

64,626,402

 

Money market

 

2,117,596

 

 

 

2,117,596

 

Stable value fund

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term investment fund

 

 

33,203,702

 

 

33,203,702

 

Synthetic guaranteed investment contracts

 

 

351,350,386

 

 

351,350,386

 

Guaranteed investment contracts

 

 

 

27,670,752

 

27,670,752

 

Total assets at fair value

 

$

444,167,454

 

$

2,398,955,834

 

$

27,670,752

 

$

2,870,794,040

 

 


*         Certain amounts in the 2010 schedule have been revised to provide further disaggregation of the nature and risk of the investments and to adjust the leveling of the investments in the separately managed accounts.

 

The table below sets forth a summary of changes in the fair value of the Master Trust Level 3 assets for the year ended December 31 2011:

 

Balance at beginning of year

 

$

27,670,752

 

Unrealized gain relating to instruments still held at the reporting date

 

179,082

 

Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements

 

 

 

Purchases and issuances

 

18,500,000

 

Settlements

 

(9,977,359

)

Total purchase, sales, issuances and settlements (net)

 

8,522,641

 

Balance at end of year

 

$

36,372,475

 

 

 

 

 

Amount of gains or losses for the year attributed to the change in unrealized gains/(losses) relating to assets and liabilities still held at year end

 

$

179,082

 

 

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sanofi-aventis U.S.Savings Plan

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2011 and 2010

 

4.                            Income Tax Status

 

The Plan has received a determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service dated July 20, 2009, stating that the Plan is qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code (the Code) and, therefore, the related trust is exempt from taxation.  Subsequent to this determination by the Internal Revenue Service, the Plan was amended.  Once qualified, the Plan is required to operate in conformity with the Code to maintain its qualification.  The Plan Administrator believes the Plan is being operated in compliance with the applicable requirements of the Code and, therefore, believes that the Plan, as amended, is qualified and the related trust is tax exempt.

 

Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States require plan management to evaluate uncertain tax positions taken by the Plan.  The financial statement effects of a tax position are recognized when the position is more likely than not, based on the technical merits, to be sustained upon examination by the IRS.  The plan administrator has analyzed the tax positions taken by the Plan, and has concluded that as of December 31, 2011, there are no uncertain positions taken or expected to be taken.  The Plan has recognized no interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions.  The Plan is subject to routine audits by taxing jurisdictions; however, there are currently no audits for any tax periods in progress.  The plan administrator believes it is no longer subject to income tax examinations for years prior to 2008.

 

5.                            Reconciliation of Financial Statements to Form 5500

 

GICs and synthetic GICs are reported at fair value for Form 5500 purposes.  For financial statement purposes, such items are recorded at gross fair value and adjusted to net contract value.  Such differing treatments result in a reconciling item between the total net assets available for benefits recorded on the Form 5500 and the total net assets available for benefits included in the accompanying financial statements.

 

The following is a reconciliation of net assets available for benefits per the financial statements to the Form 5500:

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets available for benefits per the financial statements

 

$

 2,328,459,841

 

$

 2,481,538,921

 

Adjustment from fair value to contract value for fully benefit responsive investment contracts

 

17,216,044

 

13,737,045

 

Net assets available for benefits per Form 5500

 

$

 2,345,675,885

 

$

 2,495,275,966

 

 

The following is a reconciliation of investment income per the financial statements to Form 5500 for the year ended December 31, 2011.

 

Total investment income at fair value per the financial statements

 

$

(19,259,878

)

Change of adjustment from fair value to contract value for fully benefit responsive investment contracts

 

3,478,999

 

Total investment income per the Form 5500

 

$

(15,780,879

)

 

16



Table of Contents

 

sanofi-aventis U.S.Savings Plan

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2011 and 2010

 

6.                            Party-in-Interest Transactions

 

Certain Master Trust investments are shares of mutual funds managed by T. Rowe Price Trust Company, the trustee of the Plan.  T. Rowe Price Retirement Plan Services Inc. is the recordkeeper of the Plan.  Therefore, these transactions qualify as party-in-interest transactions.

 

The Master Trust also invests in shares of the Company.  The Company is the plan sponsor and, therefore, these transactions qualify as party-in-interest transactions.  During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Master Trust made purchases of approximately $114,491,152, sales of approximately $48,969,594 and realized gains (loss) of $1,428,654 and dividend income of $3,110,838 earned from the investment in the Company’s common stock.

 

7.                            Termination of the Plan

 

Although it has not expressed any intent to do so, the Company has the right under the Plan to discontinue its contributions at any time and to terminate the Plan subject to the provisions of ERISA.  Upon such termination of the Plan, the interest of each participant in the trust fund will be distributed to such participant or his or her beneficiary at the time prescribed by the Plan terms and the Code.

 

8.                            Subsequent Event

 

The Plan has evaluated subsequent events through the date the financial statements were issued and had noted the following: Effective April 1, 2012, the Plan has been amended, restated and renamed to Sanofi US Group Savings Plan.  In addition, Sanofi Pasteur Inc. 401(k) and Genzyme Corporate 401(k) Plan were merged into the Plan, effective on the same date.

 

17



Table of Contents

 

Supplemental Schedule

 



Table of Contents

 

sanofi-aventis U.S. Savings Plan

Schedule H, Line 4i — Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)

EIN: #36-4406953

Plan: #005

December 31, 2011

 

Identity of Issue

 

Description

 

Cost

 

Current Value

 

*

 

sanofi-aventis U.S. Savings Master Trust

 

Various investments

 

**

 

$

2,311,522,188

 

*

 

Notes receivable from participants

 

Participant loans with interest rates ranging from 4.25% to 10.50%

 

**

 

27,941,047

 

 


*                 Indicates party-in-interest to the Plan.

 

**          Cost not required for participant directed investments.

 

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Signatures

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Plan administrator has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

sanofi-aventis U.S. Savings Plan

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Richard M. Johnson

 

 

 

 

 

Richard M. Johnson, for the
Retirement Plan Administrative
Committee, Plan Administrator

 

 

Date: June 26, 2012

 

 

19



Table of Contents

 

Exhibits

 



Table of Contents

 

sanofi-aventis U.S.Savings Plan

Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit

 

Exhibit Number

 

 

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

23.1

 

 

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

23.2