PARIS (AP) -- French drugmaker Sanofi-Aventis SA has chosen Serge Weinberg to become its next chairman.

Weinberg will replace Jean-Francois Dehecq, Sanofi-Aventis' long-time chairman, who faces mandatory retirement at age 70.

Weinberg ran French luxury goods group PPR from 1995 to 2005, then founded and directed a private investment fund.

Sanofi-Aventis is best known for making blood thinners Lovenox and Plavix, and the diabetes treatment Lantus.