WOOD & Co. successfully completed the largest ever tender offer executed on the czech capital market

Prague, March 11, 2009 - WOOD & Company Financial Services, the leading investment bank in Central and Eastern Europe, successfully completed and settled the largest ever Tender Offer executed on the Czech Capital Market.

WOOD & Co acted as the Tender Agent to Sanofi-Aventis, in relation to the voluntary tender offer for all of the shares of Zentiva N.V. From July 2008 till March 2009, WOOD & Co has arranged the purchase of approx. 70% of the issued share capital of Zentiva in the volume exceeding CZK 31bn.

“We are pleased to have been able to support the successful capital market story of Zentiva starting with the IPO in 2004 through several follow-up transactions to the voluntary tender offer completed today,” says Vladimir Jaros, the Partner WOOD & Company and adds “it wasn’t an easy journey but the result is immense and Zentiva is now in hands of a strong strategic investor.”

About Wood & Company
Wood & Company is an independent investment bank focused on the emerging capital markets of Central and Eastern Europe. Core services include capital markets, investment banking and asset management. Wood & Company has membership of eight exchanges across the region and offers clients the ability to trade on all these markets. The company’s aim is to be the best financial services provider in the region by offering its clients the firm’s breadth of regional experience, capabilities, and financial resources.

About Zentiva
Zentiva N.V. is an international pharmaceutical company that develops manufactures and markets modern branded generic pharmaceutical products. It is a market leader in the Czech Republic, Turkey, Romania, Poland, Slovakia and Russia and grows dynamically in Bulgaria, the Ukraine and the Baltic countries.

About Sanofi -Aventis
Sanofi-Aventis, a leading global pharmaceutical company, contributes to improving life by providing a broad offering of medicines, vaccines, and integrated healthcare solutions adapted to local needs and means.