BIOPROGRESS and its Major Shareholders

PARIS, Dec 20 (Reuters) - Drug maker Sanofi-Aventis (SASY.PA: Quote, Profile , Research) would be interested in buying a biotechnology company if one available, Chief Executive Jean-Francois Dehecq told French business daily La Tribune.

"If a biotech firm became available, like Genentech (DNA.N: Quote, Profile , Research) with three or four products, we would be buyers. It's not the case," Dehecq said in an interview due for publication on Thursday.

"In clear, one must not rule out anything on the part of Sanofi-Aventis when it comes to buying biotechnology firms, even if it's a complex and often costly process," he said.