Sanofi to invest US$75m in new manufacturing facility in Vietnam
Marks a further expansion of its operations in South-East Asia
Sanofi has unveiled plans to build a new manufacturing facility in Vietnam as it expands its operations in South-East Asia.
The plant, at the Saigon High Tech Park in Ho Chi Minh City, will cost US$75m, which represents Sanofi’s largest investment in Vietnam to date. With an initial capacity of 90 million units per year – and a possible extension up to 150 million units – the facility will produce pharmaceuticals and consumer healthcare products. The plant is scheduled to be fully operational by the end of 2015.
The company said the new plant would join Sanofi’s existing network of 40 manufacturing sites in emerging markets.
Christopher Viehbacher, Chief Executive of Sanofi, said: ‘This new production and development centre illustrates our commitment to bringing high-quality medicines to a broader population in Vietnam.’
He added that Sanofi has had a presence in Vietnam for more than 50 years and has built a leading position in one of the most dynamic South-East Asian countries. The new investment will also further strengthen Sanofi’s leading position in emerging markets, he said.
Sanofi has around 1,200 employees in Vietnam and is the only foreign pharmaceutical company with two WHO-GMP certified facilities in Ho Chi Minh City, manufacturing 80% of the firm’s products marketed in Vietnam.
Sanofi said it has established a strong partnership with local group Vinapharm since 1993. Last year Sanofi Vietnam was market leader in the country with a market share of 4%.