French pharma major plans global R&D operations hub in China

3 July 2018

France’s largest drugmaker Sanofi (Euronext: SAN) pleased investors this morning with plans to expand its scientific presence in China, which pushed the firm’s share 1.9% higher to 70.10 euros by late morning trading.

Sanofi said it is launching a global R&D operations hub with a specialized focus on digitalization and big data analysis in Chengdu, Sichuan province, China. The new R&D operations hub confirms China as the third pillar of Sanofi global clinical sciences and operations, joining facilities in France and the USA.

Sanofi’s decision comes against the background of recent big pharma pull-outs in China, with GlaxoSmithKline (LSE: GSK) last year announcing the closure of it R&D site there, and Novartis closing two of its facilities in China.

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