Sanofi Launches High Tech Vaccine Facility

Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines unit of Sanofi-Aventis, has established a new automated vaccine production facility in Val de Reuil, France to respond to increased vaccine demand worldwide. This new $156 million facility incorporates the latest technology and is part of the $935 million that the company has invested in France between 2005 and 2008.
   
“Sanofi Pasteur’s commitment to global health is exemplified by significant investments in vaccine production infrastructures. These efforts are aimed at meeting a world demand for vaccines expected to double by 2016,” said Wayne Pisano, president and chief executive officer of Sanofi Pasteur, who inaugurated the new production unit. “The new facility will provide high-end production work environment for dedicated people who produce vaccines for the world.”
   
The new facility can produce vaccines against 20 diseases and is designed to respond to pandemic flu, once the flu strain is identified by the World Health Organization. Construction of the 7,800-square-meter building began in 2006 and is projected to be operational by the end of this year. The facility is scaled to fill 200 million syringes and vials per year, twice the current capacity at this site.