Sanofi expects vaccine demand to 'soar'
26 Jun 2008
Sanofi-Aventis has said it expects worldwide demand for vaccines to double over the next eight years.
The French pharmaceutical company has responded to the anticipated increase in demand by building a new vaccine production plant in the north-west of France.
Sanofi-Aventis' vaccine division, Sanofi Pasteur, has inaugurated the new facility, which is capable of producing vaccines to fill 200 million syringes and vials each year, double the current amount made there.
The Paris-based company has invested 100 million euros (£79 million) in the facility.
Wayne Pisano, president and chief executive officer of Sanofi Pasteur, commented: "Sanofi Pasteur Val de Reuil site is a hub for global health with over two million doses of vaccines shipped worldwide each day."
He added that the plant will help the company to provide the "highest quality vaccines to protect people from infectious diseases wherever they live".
Sanofi-Aventis recently won support from UK advisory panel NICE for its obesity treatment Acomplia.
