Sanofi (France) Lines up $300 Million for Shantha Biotechnics Facility in Hyderabad

NYSE-listed French pharma giant Sanofi Aventis expects upside surprises in vaccines, animal health and consumer health products in emerging markets such as India and China in the coming years till 2015, and plans significant investments in manufacturing facilities in the region. These areas would shoulder sustained profit growth in the post-blockbuster era, said chief executive officer Christopher A Viehbacher. As part of this long-term initiative, the company would focus around six growth platforms that include emerging markets, human vaccines, diabetes solutions, consumer healthcare, innovative products and animal health, he told reporters on Wednesday. In the process, it would make investments worth $300 million in Shantha Biotechnics, which it acquired for 550 million in July 2009, to produce affordable vaccines for global markets.