Sanofi is launching a Global R&D Operations Hub focused on digitalization and big data analysis in Chengdu, Sichuan province, China. The new R&D operations in China will serve as Sanofi’s third pillar of Sanofi Global Clinical Sciences and Operations, joining facilities in France and the US.
 
The €66 million investment will support the clinical research and development of Sanofi’s innovative drugs by focusing on the management of global multi-center clinical trials data and files. The hub will bring together global data and analysis in an effort to accelerate the availability of trial results, from Phase I to Phase IV.   
 
“Through this new Hub, we will take full advantage of our global experience and R&D capabilities together with local scientific research strengths to further improve innovation,” said Zhang Ji, PhD, senior vice president, Global Head of Sanofi R&D Operations. “Our goal is to link China’s innovative achievements with the global ecosystem and develop innovative drugs in China that could benefit patients around the world.”
 
The Chengdu Hub will target therapeutic areas including diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, vaccines, oncology, immunology and inflammation, rare diseases, multiple sclerosis and neurology. It will leverage global cutting-edge biological technology for polypeptides, gene therapy, monoclonal antibodies and multi-specific antibodies. The Hub plans to recruit 300 local pharmaceutical R&D professionals by 2020.