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. The report has been conducted by Jean-Pierre Saintouil.
In the last year, Sanofi has declared its intention to close down its Toulouse R&D site, which received concerns from politicians and employees.
The company now 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 provided 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 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 and the establishment of local start-ups on the site.
In addition, as already announced, the anti-infectious research o the site will be moved to Lyon, where Sanofi plans to create a global center of excellence.