UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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For the month of March 2004
Commission File Number: 001-31368
SANOFI-SYNTHELABO
(Translation of registrant's name into English)
174, avenue de France, 75013 Paris, FRANCE
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual
reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F [X] Form 40-F [ ]
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in
paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): _____
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in
paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): _____
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the
information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to
the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934.
Yes [ ] No [X]
If "Yes" marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the
registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-________
[Synofi-Synthelabo Graphic]
[Graphic] Investor Relations Paris, March 18, 2004
FINANCING OF THE OFFER ON AVENTIS
Sanofi-Synthelabo announces today the successful completion of the first round
of syndication of the 12 billion euro credit facility* put in place in
connection with its offer for Aventis.
Alongside the Mandated Lead Arrangers, BNP Paribas and Merrill Lynch, the
following banks have joined the international syndicate:
o ABN AMRO Bank
o Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria
o The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi
o CDC Finance - CDC IXIS
o Natexis Banques Populaires
o The Royal Bank of Scotland
o WestLB AG
* as described in the information notice registered with Autorite
des marches financiers (AMF) on February 12, 2004 under the number 04-0090.
In accordance with article 7 of the COB rule no. 2002-04, this document was
reviewed by the "Autorite des marches financiers" (AMF) before its publication.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: In connection with the proposed acquisition of Aventis,
Sanofi-Synthelabo has filed a registration statement on Form F-4 (File no.
333-112314) and will file additional documents with the United States Securities
and Exchange Commission (SEC). INVESTORS ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION
STATEMENT AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC, INCLUDING ALL
AMENDMENTS, BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Free copies of the
registration statement, as well as other relevant documents filed with the SEC,
may be obtained at the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov. At the appropriate time,
transaction-related documents may be obtained for free from Sanofi-Synthelabo.
In France, holders of Aventis securities are requested, with respect to the
offer, to refer to the prospectus (note d'information), which has been granted
visa number 04-0090 by the Autorite des marches financiers ("AMF") and which is
available on the website of the AMF (www.amf-france.org) and without cost from:
BNP Paribas Securities Services, GIS-Emetteurs, Service Logistique, Les Collines
de l'Arche, 75450 Paris Cedex 9.
On March 11, 2004, Sanofi-Synthelabo issued an offer prospectus in accordance
with German law, which is the only document applicable in connection with the
public offer made by Sanofi-Synthelabo to holders of Aventis ordinary shares
located in Germany (the "German Offer"). Any decision to tender Aventis ordinary
shares in exchange for Sanofi-Synthelabo ordinary shares under the German Offer
must be taken exclusively with regard to the terms and conditions of the German
Offer, as well as with regard to the information included in the offer
prospectus issued in Germany.
INVESTOR RELATIONS DEPARTMENT
Philippe Goupit Director of Investor Relations
Arnaud Delepine Investor Relations Europe
Sanjay Gupta Investor Relations US
CONTACTS:
E-mail: investor-relations@sanofi-synthelabo.com
Europe US
Tel: + 33 1 53 77 45 45 Tel: + 1 212 551 42 93
Fax: + 33 1 53 77 42 96 Fax: + 1 212 551 49 92
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Dated: March 19, 2004 SANOFI-SYNTHELABO
By: /s/ Marie-Helene Laimay
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Name: Marie-Helene Laimay
Title: Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer