Sanofi set to invigorate healthcare exchanges between China and France

As 2024 marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France, both countries are considering cooperation in emerging areas, including potentially within the healthcare space.

French biopharma company Sanofi supports the ambitions of both sides to improve the well-being of people and foster sustainable economic and societal development. Sanofi is open to fostering efforts that catalyze ideal collaborations between China and France.

Sanofi's Sino-French legacy began in 1982 when it entered China as one of the first multinationals since the reform and opening-up.

The scale and speed of China's dynamic market has been remarkable and sustains Sanofi's confidence in its continuous development, said Paul Hudson, CEO of Sanofi.

"The value of biopharmaceutical science transcends national borders. As a beneficiary of and contributor to the long-standing relationship between China and France, Sanofi is committed to playing an active role in fostering Sino-French healthcare exchange," Hudson said.

Early this year, Sanofi, along with Shanghai Soong Ching Ling Foundation, launched the Sanofi China Charity Grant, to enhance health literacy among Chinese children and adolescents, support children with diabetes and other life-threatening diseases to manage their health conditions, overcome stigma, and enjoy a bright childhood.

Additionally, a strategic cooperation agreement on vaccine innovation with the Shenzhen city government has further strengthened the two nations' cooperation in public health.

"Sanofi has invested extensively in China, established partnerships across the biopharmaceutical value chain, from R&D, manufacturing, to hospitals, universities, and patient organizations," Hudson said.

Sanofi's 12 multimode offices, three manufacturing sites, four R&D sites and one digital innovation center in China are demonstrations of those close collaborations.

Driven by its ambition to transform the practice of medicine, Sanofi is accelerating the introduction of innovative medicines and vaccines at full speed to benefit more Chinese people.

"Our emergence as a global leader in immunology allows us to help Chinese patients address a broad spectrum of diseases with breakthrough medicines and vaccines," said Hudson.

Up to now, Sanofi has introduced more than 60 of its innovative medicines and vaccines to China, addressing seven out of the 10 leading life-threatening diseases in China.

In 2023, Sanofi secured approvals for 12 innovative products and indications in the Chinese market, ranging from immunology and inflammation, vaccines, and diabetes, to rare diseases and transplantation.

"With the approval of Beyfortus, our monoclonal antibody for protecting infants from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) before they leave the hospital, we are proud to be achieving our goal of introducing 25 innovative products and indications to China from 2020 to 2025, two years ahead of schedule," said Hudson.

Sanofi is also upgrading its manufacturing and R&D capacities in China. Its Beijing manufacturing site, the largest insulin production site in the Asia-Pacific region, is now providing products not only for Chinese patients, but also for those in Japan, South Korea and Australia.

"We are incorporating China into our global R&D strategy, accelerating the development of innovative medicines for both China and the global market," Hudson said.

By 2023, China had been included in 90 percent of Sanofi's global simultaneous development projects, highlighting the country's pivotal role in the company's global innovation initiatives.

With France serving as a guest country of honor for the upcoming seventh China International Import Expo, Sanofi will participate and spotlight its cutting-edge healthcare innovations, and explore collaboration opportunities with Chinese counterparts, in a bid to demonstrate its dedication to improving people's lives, and promoting valuable healthcare exchanges between China and France.

The year 2024 not only celebrates the 60th anniversary of Sino-French diplomatic relations, but heralds the significant possibilities in the next 60 years. "Sanofi is committed to playing an active role in fostering collaboration in the acceleration of biopharma science between China and France, to the benefit of patients globally," said Hudson.