New Kirkland distribution center to accompany new head office in a total $12M investment

LAVAL, QC, May 6, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - Global healthcare leader Sanofi inaugurated its new Canadian corporate head office this morning in Laval, Quebec, in the company of Mr. Alexandre Duplessis, Mayor of Laval, His Excellency Philippe Zeller, Ambassador of France to Canada and Mr. Nicolas Marceau, Quebec Minister of Finance and the Economy. The new offices, together with a new Canadian center for distribution in Kirkland, Quebec, form a renewed investment of $12M by Sanofi in the province.

Sanofi companies in Canada include Sanofi Canada (pharmaceuticals), Sanofi Pasteur (vaccines), Sanofi Consumer Health (health and beauty), Genzyme (rare diseases) and Merial (animal health). Together they employ more than 1,700 Canadians and, in 2012, invested $122 million in R&D in Canada, creating jobs, business and opportunity throughout the country.

"As part of Laval's Biotech City, we remain committed to bringing innovative new medicines to Quebec and Canada, and hope to those living with diabetes, cancer and other diseases" said Jon Fairest, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sanofi Canada. "Our new head office and distribution center ensure that Sanofi continues to benefit from the expertise in the life sciences sector that Quebec has to offer."

The new head office, which includes large open concept areas designed to encourage collaboration, innovation and cross-functional partnership between teams, will continue to house Sanofi's Canadian Clinical Study Unit (CSU) currently overseeing close to 70 clinical trials across the country. The Kirkland distribution center brings together the company's consumer health products and pharmaceuticals under one roof. It will also house a new cosmeceutical* laboratory for the purposes of continuing innovation in Sanofi Consumer Health's NeoStrata^® brand and bringing new health and beauty products to market.

"Sanofi has a 45-year history in Laval dating back to 1968 with the construction of the Octo Laboratories site, later becoming Nordic, and eventually the company we are today," said Jon Fairest. "During this time, we have evolved significantly from our beginnings as a pharmaceutical company. Today, our goal is to do more than introduce products to market. We aim to serve our patients, providing them with care and expertise, while making a greater contribution to the sustainability of healthcare in Canada. Our new site is a reflection of that spirit and the culture we strive to create as healthcare company."

Supporting the future of science

Underscoring Sanofi's commitment to the future of science and its ties to the Laval community, the company invited school children from the local École Curé-Antoine-Labelle and Laval Liberty High School to meet Eunice Linh You and David Drouin, two of this year's provincial winners of the Sanofi BioGENEius Challenge Canada - a national, biotechnology-focused science competition for high school and CEGEP students. The aspiring young scientists hosted an "Ask a GENEius" session, answering questions from the audience about their scientific aspirations and winning projects.

About Sanofi

Sanofi, a global and diversified healthcare leader, discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions focused on patients' needs. Sanofi has core strengths in the field of healthcare with seven growth platforms: diabetes solutions, human vaccines, innovative drugs, consumer healthcare, emerging markets, animal health and the new Genzyme. Sanofi is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York (NYSE: SNY).

About the Sanofi BioGENEius Challenge Canada (SBCC)

Celebrating its 20 anniversary in 2013, the Sanofi BioGENEius Challenge Canada (SBCC) is a national, biotechnology-focused science competition that exposes high school and CEGEP students to career possibilities and reveals the breadth of endeavour that makes up the bio-economy.

The SBCC gives high school and CEGEP students from across Canada the chance to pour their creativity, curiosity and scientific skills into cutting-edge research projects that tackle some of the day's toughest challenges—from cancer and Alzheimer's disease to crops and the environment.

Students gain exposure to the exciting field of biotechnology—and the opportunities a career in the bio-economy might hold for them. The SBCC helps build Canada's biotechnology capacity by offering the next generation of scientists the opportunity to gain hands-on experience of what it takes to succeed in the bio-economy.

*Cosmeceutical is a marketing term referring to cosmetic products that are known to health care practitioners.These products are not pharmaceuticals.

Image with caption: "Photo from inauguration of new Sanofi Canada corporate headquarters, from left to right, Nicolas Marceau, Quebec Minister of Finance and the Economy, Jon Fairest, President and CEO, Sanofi Canada, His Excellency Philippe Zeller Ambassador of France to Canada, Franca Mancino, Vice-President, Medical and Regulatory Affairs, Sanofi Canada and Alexandre Duplessis, Mayor of Laval. (CNW Group/SANOFI)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130506_C3717_PHOTO_EN_26393.jpg

SOURCE: SANOFI CANADA