Sanofi Pasteur Completes New Influenza Vaccine Manufacturing Plant

Sanofi pasteur has completed construction on its new influenza vaccine manufacturing facility, which the company said will more than double its production capacity in the U.S., the company announced.

The manufacturing plant is expected to start producing vaccines in late 2008 or early 2009, after the FDA licenses the facility, according to sanofi pasteur. The plant is 140,000 square feet and cost $150 million to build, the company added.

HHS recently awarded sanofi pasteur a $77.4 million contract to modify its existing influenza vaccine manufacturing facility and create warm-base operations to manufacture more vaccines. The company added it would spend approximately $25 million on the project.

Together, the new facility and the modified facility’s capabilities will enable the company to triple its influenza vaccine capacity in the U.S., sanofi pasteur said. Both facilities are located in Pennsylvania.