Sanofi-aventis and LFB announce an industrial cooperation project for bioproduction in France, LFB

Release Date: 2009-11-27

Sanofi-aventis and the LFB group have decided to work together to better organize their production forces and build complementary know-how in the field of bioproduction in France.

This collaboration project is an important step towards the reinforcement of France’s wealth in this area and comes on the heels of Sanofi-aventis’ announced launch of the Biolaunch project on the Vitry-sur-Seine (France) site in May 2009 and the extension of the capacity of LFB’s bioproduction subsidiary (MAbgène) in Alès (France), slated to be operational by 2010. This agreement is a follow-up to the announcements made on October 26th as part of the meeting of the Strategic Council for Health Industries to develop bioproduction platforms in France.

“It is crucial that French pharmaceutical companies acquire their own bioproduction capacity,” stated Christian Lajoux, President of Sanofi-aventis in France. And, adding: “This project is symbolic for the transformation underway at Sanofi-aventis and fits perfectly within our strategy that consists of seeking out partnerships to discover new therapeutic options."

Christian Béchon, President of the LFB group went on: “The development of adequate installations represents a strategic industrial milestone for France.”

This cooperation will be divided into two parts: the first involving joint use of resources for cell culture production and biological product purification and the second focusing on the joint creation of professional bioproduction training programs.

A letter of intent was signed by both groups on October 16th and a definitive agreement should follow within the coming three months.

*via its subsidiary Sanofi Chimie

Type:	NORMAL
Company:	LFB
Country:	France
Url:	http://www.lfb.fr/EN/sanofi_aventis_and_lfb_announce_an_industrial_cooperation_project_for_bioproduction_in_france.html