Sanofi’s Major Investment in France: Boosting Production and Creating Jobs
Sanofi, a leading pharmaceutical company, has announced plans to invest heavily in France, with a total investment of one billion euros ($1.1 billion). This significant investment will be used to construct a monoclonal antibody production facility in Vitry-sur-Seine and to increase capacity at its Le Trait site in Normandy and Lyon Gerland.
The investment was unveiled during the Choose France Summit held in Paris, where Sanofi showcased its Play to Win strategy. This strategy focuses on immunology and cutting-edge science, targeting diseases such as asthma, multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
According to Audrey Derveloy, president of Sanofi France, the company has always been committed to equipping France with the necessary platforms for producing essential medicines and vaccines. The expansion of the monoclonal antibody production capacity in Vitry-sur-Seine is a testament to this commitment. Sanofi has previously made significant investments in Neuville-sur-Saône for manufacturing future vaccines and improved its production facilities in the southern region of France.
The Vitry-sur-Seine facility, located close to Paris, will focus on manufacturing therapies for diseases such as COPD, asthma, multiple sclerosis, and type 1 diabetes. This expansion is expected to create 350 new jobs. At the Le Trait location, Sanofi will increase capacity for filling, device assembly, and packaging, creating 150 employment opportunities. The site will also be used for manufacturing Dupixent, a therapy for inflammatory diseases and COPD, as well as biologics and vaccines.
Sanofi’s recent acquisition of Provention Bio will further enhance its production capabilities. This acquisition will enable the production of TZield (teplizumab), a medicine used to treat type 1 diabetes. Additionally, the investment in Lyon will provide support for drug production.
Sanofi CEO Paul Hudson emphasized France’s central role in the company’s strategy, stating that they are staying true to their heritage by selecting France as the location for manufacturing these future medicines and making them accessible to patients worldwide. This is made possible through the extraordinary industrial investments taking place.
In line with its Play to Win strategy, Sanofi plans to increase its research and development spending by an additional 700 million euros annually over the next two years across its French network. This commitment demonstrates Sanofi’s dedication to advancing scientific research and innovation in France.
The Choose France Summit, held annually in December, serves as a platform for increasing funding and strengthening economic solidarity in France. This year, the summit was attended by 180 professionals from various global business organizations, including pharmaceutical giants AstraZeneca, AbbVie, Pfizer, Novartis, and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). AstraZeneca has announced an investment of 365 million euros to improve its manufacturing site in Dunkirk, while Pfizer has committed to investing 500 million euros in research and development skills in France over the next five years.
Sanofi’s substantial investment in France not only demonstrates its commitment to the country but also showcases France’s position as a key player in the pharmaceutical industry. With the creation of 500 new jobs and a focus on cutting-edge science and innovation, Sanofi is poised to make significant contributions to the healthcare landscape. As the company continues to prioritize research and development, patients worldwide can look forward to accessing new and improved treatments for a range of diseases.