Sanofi announces the next steps of its Research site in Toulouse, France

Today, the French ministerial mission presented the conclusions of its report regarding the Sanofi Research site in Toulouse, France.

The report confirms the necessity to reorganize Sanofi’s Research in France, in particular to address its structural weaknesses and to open the Group to the external collaborations. This evolution is essential for the discovery of new medicines, to create an environment for long-term growth and to ensure the sustainability of the Group, especially its 26 industrial sites in France.

Consequently, Sanofi confirms its intent to regroup its research activities in France in the regions of Paris and Lyon, in Strasbourg and to transform the Montpellier R&D site into a strategic Development center for the Group.

The report provides a road map to transform the structures of the site in Toulouse, so that it keeps a scientific and technological mission, and to safeguard a maximum number of jobs in the region. Based on the options considered in the report, Sanofi will explore the following:

• The creation of a technological platform to provide services for Sanofi and other biotechnological or pharmaceutical companies;
• The spin-off of activities dedicated to the development of innovative therapeutic solutions;
• The establishment of local start-ups on the site.

Sanofi commits during the next five years to accompany the transition of these new autonomous structures, while respecting tradition and social practices.

In addition, as already announced, the anti-infectious research of the site will be moved to Lyon, where Sanofi plans to create a global center of excellence.

These proposals are now going to be developed thoroughly with the social partners, also supported by working groups in Toulouse to prepare for the evolution of the site and to define the ways to support those new structures.

With the definition of its new model, Sanofi confirms its commitment to Research in France, where the Group employs 50 % of its global R&D workforce, in order to create a successful and dynamic research necessary for its future.