Sanofi Opens New Digital Manufacturing Facility in Massachusetts

Sanofi announced the opening of its new digital manufacturing facility in Framingham, MA, on Oct. 15, 2019. The new location is one of the world’s first digital facilities to use intensified, continuous biologics production technology, according to a company press release. 

According to Sanofi, the new facility is 80 times more productive and will make medicines for two times the number of patients per year than a traditional factory, using technology that connects the production process with R&D. By utilizing paperless and single-use manufacturing technologies to replace the large-scale fixed stainless-steel equipment, the company’s carbon footprint is reduced with less CO₂ emissions.

Additionally, the new location has the ability to quickly change from one manufacturing process to another, enabling the factory to manufacture biologics for the company’s Genzyme portfolio.

The facility is part of the company’s Framingham campus, a global hub for medicines that has been active for 30 years. The company has invested $400 million into R&D, biologics, manufacturing, and production improvements at the campus.

"We have been investing for some years to prepare for Sanofi's future. Our Framingham facility leads the way in delivering the next generation of biologics manufacturing, leveraging intensified, continuous processing in a fully integrated digitally powered facility," said Philippe Luscan, executive vice-president, Global Industrial Affairs at Sanofi, in the press release. "This opening demonstrates we are at the leading edge of innovation and manufacturing excellence, helping us to shape the future of both our company and the industry."

Sanofi plans to continue to expand its digital transformation initiatives in Canada, Brazil, Ireland, France, and Belgium. 

Source: Sanofi