French pharmaceutical leader Sanofi has officially launched its first China Innovation and Operation Center in Chengdu, marking a significant expansion of its footprint in the Chinese market.
The new center strengthens Sanofi’s innovation-driven strategy in China and reinforces its long-term commitment to the country’s rapidly growing biopharmaceutical sector.
Strategic Expansion in Western China
According to Madeleine Roach, Executive Vice President and Head of Business Operations at Sanofi, Chengdu’s strong biopharma ecosystem, rich talent resources and dynamic innovation environment make it an ideal location for the company’s next stage of growth.
The center will manage a broad range of operations, including research and development (R&D), clinical trials and supply chain services. By the end of 2026, it is expected to create more than 600 professional positions.
It is already integrated with Sanofi’s global operations hubs in India, Hungary, Malaysia, Colombia and Spain, forming a coordinated international network designed to enhance efficiency and cross-border collaboration.
Deepening Investment in China
Headquartered in Paris, Sanofi first entered China in 1982. Over the past four decades, the company has steadily expanded its local presence, establishing multiple production and R&D facilities across the country.
Sanofi currently operates four major R&D hubs in Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu and Suzhou. In 2025, it also began construction of a new insulin active pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturing base in Beijing, backed by an investment of 1 billion euros.
The launch of the Chengdu Innovation and Operation Center reflects multinational pharmaceutical companies’ growing confidence in China’s healthcare market, talent base and innovation capacity.
