Sanofi has announced a significant expansion of its research and development capabilities in China with a €66 million investment in a new global research hub in Chengdu. The strategic move positions China as the third pillar of Sanofi's global research operations, complementing its existing facilities in France and the United States.
The new state-of-the-art facility will primarily focus on managing global multi-centre clinical trial data and files, supporting the development of innovative therapeutics across Sanofi's core disease areas. The research hub aims to strengthen the company's data analysis capabilities and accelerate clinical development programs.
Comprehensive Disease Focus and Recruitment Plans
The Chengdu hub will support research across a broad spectrum of therapeutic areas, including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, vaccines, oncology, immunology and inflammation, rare diseases, multiple sclerosis, and neurology. To support these initiatives, Sanofi plans to build a robust research team, with aims to recruit 300 pharmaceutical R&D professionals by 2020.
Building on Established Chinese Presence
This expansion builds upon Sanofi's 40-year presence in China, where the company has operated since 1982 and currently employs over 9,500 people. The company already maintains a significant research presence in Shanghai, where its R&D center focuses on identifying drug targets and conducting clinical trials for common diseases prevalent in China and the Asia-Pacific region, including liver diseases, diabetes, cancers, and cardiovascular conditions.
Strategic Vision for Global Innovation
Zhang Ji, senior vice president and global head of Sanofi R&D operations, emphasized the hub's strategic importance: "Through this new hub, we will take full advantage of our global experience and R&D capabilities together with local scientific research strengths to further improve innovation. Our goal is to link China's innovative achievements with the global ecosystem and develop innovative drugs in China that could benefit patients around the world."
Competitive Landscape in Chinese R&D
Sanofi's investment reflects a broader trend of multinational pharmaceutical companies expanding their research presence in China. Notable competitor Novo Nordisk, which specializes in diabetes treatments, has maintained a research presence in China since 1997, when it became the first multinational company to establish a research center in the country. Novo Nordisk further expanded its Beijing research facility in 2012 with a $100 million investment, increasing its scientific staff from 130 to 200 employees to enhance protein research capabilities.
The establishment of the Chengdu hub represents a significant step in Sanofi's global R&D strategy, reinforcing China's growing importance in the global pharmaceutical research landscape while strengthening the company's ability to develop innovative therapeutics for patients worldwide.
