UPDATE 1-EU drugs watchdog backs generic versions of Plavix

* EMEA adopts six positive opinions for generics

* Products from Teva, Acino and Pharmathen

* Branded Plavix sold by Sanofi-Aventis, Bristol-Myers

(Adds details, background)

LONDON, May 29 (Reuters) - The European Medicines Agency has given a green light to six generic versions of Sanofi-Aventis (SASY.PA: Quote, Profile, Research) and Bristol-Myers Squibb's (BMY.N: Quote, Profile, Research) blockbuster blood thinner Plavix, it said on Friday.

The new generics are Clopidogrel 1A Pharma, Clopidogrel ratiopharm, Clopidogrel Acino and Clopidogrel Hexal, all from Acino (ACIN.S: Quote, Profile, Research); Clopidogrel Teva, from Teva (TEVA.TA: Quote, Profile, Research); and Grepid, from Pharmathen.

Acino, a generic drugmaker which was formerly known as Schweizerhall, has been selling generic Plavix in Germany since last year and the company said in January its generic version had already captured about a quarter of the German market.

The move by the European drugs watchdog clears the way for wider generic Plavix sales following the initial German approval and launch.

Recommendations for marketing approval by the agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use are normally endorsed by the European Commission within a couple of months.