Filed by Sanofi-Synthelabo
                                  Pursuant to Rule 135 and Rule 425(b) under the
                                           United States Securities Act of 1933,
                as amended, and deemed filed pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b)(2) of the
                       United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended

                                                        Subject Company: Aventis
                                                   Commission File No. 001-10378
                                                          Date: February 5, 2004


         ON FEBRUARY 5, 2004, THE FOLLOWING ADVERTISEMENTS WAS PUBLISHED ON
BEHALF OF SANOFI-SYNTHELABO IN THE FINANCIAL TIMES EUROPEAN EDITION.
                                     * * * *

                      WE REFUSE TO ACCEPT THAT NOT EVERYONE
                        CAN BENEFIT FROM OUR DISCOVERIES.


                  [Close-up image of a smiling mongolian woman]


If you had a new medicine that could help eradicate a disease, would you accept
to postpone its distribution?  No. Because health matters, the coming together
of Sanofi-Synthelabo and Aventis will enable us to meet patients' needs more
effectively by making new treatments accessible through an extensive global
network. Our project will harness our complementary skills to create a leading
pharmaceutical group (No.1 in Europe and No.3 worldwide) committed to improving
healthcare and capable of driving strong, sustainable and profitable growth.


               SANOFI-SYNTHELABO'S OFFER TO AVENTIS'S SHAREHOLDERS
                             BECAUSE HEALTH MATTERS


This advertisement does not constitute an offer to sell, or an offer to
purchase, any securities


                                                       www.sanofi-synthelabo.com

                                     * * * *



                       WE REFUSE TO ACCEPT THAT SCIENTISTS
                              DO NOT WORK TOGETHER
                           TO SPEED UP THEIR RESEARCH.


              [Close-up image of old man leaning on walking stick]


In an essential field such as healthcare, we must do everything possible to
move faster. The coming together of Sanofi-Synthelabo and Aventis means
thousands of scientists  throughout the world working  towards a common goal and
combatting diseases more effectively. Our project will harness our complementary
skills to create a leading pharmaceutical group (No.1 in Europe and No.3
worldwide) committed to improving healthcare and capable of driving strong,
sustainable and profitable growth.


               SANOFI-SYNTHELABO'S OFFER TO AVENTIS'S SHAREHOLDERS
                             BECAUSE HEALTH MATTERS


This advertisement does not constitute an offer to sell, or an offer to
purchase, any securities


                                                       www.sanofi-synthelabo.com