Fraxiparine and Arixtra

GlaxoSmithKline PLC
13 April 2004


          GlaxoSmithKline to acquire Fraxiparine(R) and Arixtra(R) and

             Associated Manufacturing Plant from Sanofi-Synthelabo


        - Deal Conditional on Sanofi-Synthelabo Acquisition of Aventis -


London, UK - April 13th 2004: GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK) announced today that
they have signed an agreement regarding the acquisition, on a worldwide basis,
of the injectable anti-thrombotic agents Fraxiparine(R) and Arixtra(R) and
related assets including a manufacturing facility located in Notre-Dame de
Bondeville, France from Sanofi-Synthelabo. The consideration for this
transaction is EUR 453 million and will be satisfied by GSK in cash upon
completion. As part of this transaction, GSK will assume responsibility for
ongoing Arixtra clinical trials.


Sanofi-Synthelabo began the process to divest its interests in Fraxiparine and
Arixtra in connection with its public offer to acquire all the outstanding
ordinary shares of Aventis announced on January, 26th 2004. The closing of this
divestiture transaction is conditional on Sanofi-Synthelabo successfully
completing its offer for Aventis after obtaining the requisite clearances from
EU and US competition authorities.


Fraxiparine(R) (nadroparine calcium) is a Low Molecular Weight Heparin and
Arixtra(R) (fondaparinux sodium) is a synthetic factor Xa inhibitor. Sales of
Fraxiparine(R) were EUR 319 million in 2003. World-wide sales of Arixtra(R) were
EUR 24 million in 2003.


The manufacturing facility located in Notre-Dame de Bondeville, France is
engaged mainly in the manufacture of Fraxiparine and Arixtra injectable
products. This facility employs approximately 650 people.



GlaxoSmithKline, one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and
healthcare companies, is committed to improving the quality of human life by
enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. For more information,
please visit the company's web site at www.gsk.com.



Under the safe harbor provisions of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995, GlaxoSmithKline cautions investors that any forward-looking
statements or projections made by GSK, including those made in this
announcement, are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual
results to differ materially from those projected. Factors that may affect the
Group's operations are described under Risk Factors in the Operating and
Financial Review and Prospects in GlaxoSmithKline's Annual Report on Form 20-F
for 2003.

GSK Enquiries:

UK Media enquiries :                                    Martin Sutton            [phone]
                                                        David Mawdsley           [phone]
                                                        Chris Hunter-Ward        [phone]

US Media enquiries:                                     Nancy Pekarek            [phone]
                                                        Mary Anne Rhyne          [phone]
                                                        Patricia Seif            [phone]

European Analyst/Investor enquiries:                    Duncan Learmouth         [phone]
                                                        Anita Kidgell            [phone]
                                                        Philip Thomson           [phone]

US Analyst/ Investor enquiries:                         Frank Murdolo            [phone]
                                                        Tom Curry                [phone]



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