Sanofi-aventis to convert its Paris chemicals facility to biotech

Sanofi-aventis has opened its BIOLAUNCH project at the Vitry-sur-Seine pharmaceuticals production site, where it plans to invest €200 million to develop biotech expertise, including the production of monoclonal antibodies as from 2012.

“With BIOLAUNCH, sanofi-aventis will benefit from a complete platform of expertise in biotechnologies. Monoclonal antibodies will open the way to a new generation of better-targeted and more effective treatments with fewer side effects,” said CEO Chris Viehbacher, at the opening earlier this week.

 “This project, which gathers and mobilises the best expertise both inside and outside the company, is an illustration of the ongoing transforming programme within sanofi-aventis.”

BIOLAUNCH is part of a long-term approach to investing in biotech and is a core part of the plan to turn the Vitry-sur-Seine site into a comprehensive biotechnology campus that includes research, development and production activities. In addition, sanofi-aventis will open these facilities to other companies to develop and produce biopharmaceuticals.

The BIOLAUNCH also includes a training programme in biotech business activities.