Sanofi Is Said to Plan U.S. Acquisition, Brief Board

Sanofi-Aventis SA, France’s biggest drugmaker, is preparing a major acquisition in the U.S., according to five people with knowledge of the situation.

Chief Executive Officer Chris Viehbacher briefed the board on the transaction at a special meeting this week, said two of the people, who declined to be identified because the plan is confidential. The process is in early stages and an agreement with the unidentified target may not be reached, the people said. Allergan Inc., Biogen Idec Inc. and Genzyme Corp. rallied in U.S. trading on speculation they may be the object of Sanofi’s interest.