Sanofi reportedly made an investment of $90m to enhance capacity at its manufacturing facility in Beijing in April 2009, which according to Chris Viehbacher, CEO of the company, was evidence of Sanofi’s belief in the strategic importance of the Chinese market.
Thomas Kelly, vice president of Sanofi’s operations in China, said: “We hope to become the first multinational drug company that completes truly home-grown research activities and will cooperate with local partners.”
Marc Cluzel, vice president of R&D at Sanofi, said: “It is expected to accelerate the development of therapies and health solutions for the mass population in the region.”
Reportedly, the French drugmaker is also pursuing R&D activities in Russia, South Korea and India as part of its ongoing strategy to expand in biologics, generics and emerging markets.