Representatives from Sanofi and officials from Beijing E-Town and the Beijing Municipal Food and Drug Administration attend the project kickoff ceremony.[Photo/beijingetown.com.cn]

On June 8, Sanofi, a global leader in healthcare, held a ceremony at its Beijing production facility to launch a new investment project. The new project marks another milestone in Sanofi's long-term presence in the Chinese market.

The project boasts a total investment of nearly 500 million yuan ($68.60 million). It includes the construction of a new aseptic filling production line, upgrades to the existing assembly line, and a continuous expansion of the company's manufacturing capacity of insulin products. Production is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2024.

Sanofi, headquartered in France, is an innovative healthcare company. It was among the first multinational corporations to enter China after its reform and opening-up, establishing its presence in China in 1982. Now, it operates with 12 offices of diverse models, three production bases, four research and development bases and one digital innovation center in China. Its diverse business portfolio spans pharmaceuticals, human vaccines and consumer healthcare. 

Brendan O'Callaghan, vice president of Sanofi's Executive Committee delivered a speech at the event. He said, "Since we founded Sanofi's Beijing production base in 1995, we've been devoted to addressing the growing healthcare needs of Chinese patients in areas like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, oncology, and wellness. This new project signifies another step in our enduring commitment to China."

He stressed that Sanofi will continue to invest in research and development, advanced manufacturing, supply capacity and talent cultivation, so as to bring scientific breakthroughs to the Chinese people as soon as possible. Moreover, Sanofi is actively implementing eco-friendly measures to reduce carbon emissions, and looks forward to working with partners to contribute to the development of China's healthcare industry.

Wayne Shi, president of Sanofi Greater China, remarked that Sanofi has been exploring treatment solutions that are more suitable for Chinese patients for over 40 years. The initiation of the new project demonstrates our steadfast confidence in the Chinese market. With the support of favorable local policies, Sonofi will continue to further deepen localization efforts and contribute its share to the development of China's healthcare industry.

Since its establishment in Beijing E-Town, the Sanofi Beijing production base has received strong support from the local government. Now, it stands as Sanofi's largest insulin injection production facility in the Asia-Pacific region, with innovation achievements benefiting both the Chinese and global markets.