French pharmaceutical maker Sanofi-Aventis spent over $1.2 million in the first quarter lobbying the U.S. government on prescription drug issues, according to a recent disclosure form.

Sanofi-Aventis (nyse: SNY - news - people ) lobbied on bills that would allow generic drug companies to sell cheaper copies of biotech drugs. Unlike traditional chemical drugs, biotech drugs have never faced generic competition because the Food and Drug Administration lacks authority to approve the cheaper copies.

An effort to give FDA that power stalled last year when lawmakers couldn't agree on how many years of patent protection to give biotech products.

Sanofi-Aventis also lobbied in favor of tax breaks designed to encourage companies to invest in research and development, according to the form filed April 18 with the House clerk's office.

Besides Congress, the company lobbied the Department of Health and Human Services in the first three months of the year.

Source：Forbes.com