Nov. 24 (Bloomberg) -- Sanofi-Aventis SA, France's largest drugmaker, was raised to ``overweight'' from ``equal weight'' at Morgan Stanley, which said its new chief executive, Chris Viehbacher, was likely to cut research expenses.

Generic copies of the blood-thinning drugs Lovenox and Plavix are also likely to be delayed, analysts led by Andrew Baum wrote in a note dated today.

Morgan Stanley raised its price estimate on the stock to 50 euros from 49 euros. The stock closed down 10 percent to 38.81 euros on Friday.

To contact the reporter on this story: Jonathan Browning in London jbrowning9@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: November 24, 2008 02:13 EST