Sanofi

Corporate brand

French multinational pharmaceutical and healthcare company developing prescription medicines, vaccines and consumer health products.

Last updated November 2, 2026

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Overview

Sanofi S.A. is a French multinational pharmaceutical and healthcare company headquartered in Paris. Established in 1973 as a pharmaceutical subsidiary of Elf Aquitaine, Sanofi developed through a long sequence of mergers, acquisitions, divestments and portfolio reorganizations that connected it with major French, German and international life-sciences businesses. Its most consequential corporate combinations were the 1999 merger with Synthélabo, which created Sanofi-Synthélabo, and the 2004 acquisition of Aventis, which created Sanofi-Aventis. The company restored the shorter Sanofi name in 2011. The business researches, manufactures and markets prescription medicines, vaccines and selected over-the-counter and consumer healthcare products. Its historical therapeutic coverage has included diabetes, cardiovascular disease, oncology, internal medicine, central nervous system conditions, thrombosis and vaccines. In more recent years, the company has concentrated investment on specialty care, immunology, rare diseases, vaccines and other innovative medicines, while periodically reducing exposure to lower-priority businesses and mature products. Sanofi Pasteur, its vaccines business, has been a central part of the group and makes Sanofi one of the world's significant vaccine producers. Major products associated with Sanofi include Dupixent, an immunology medicine developed with Regeneron; Lantus, a long-acting insulin; influenza vaccines; and medicines inherited through acquisitions such as Genzyme's rare-disease portfolio. Sanofi has also held rights or development partnerships for products including Plavix and Zaltrap, although commercial ownership and partnership arrangements vary by market and product. Sanofi's expansion has often used acquisitions to build geographic reach, manufacturing capability and specialist platforms. Examples include the acquisition of Zentiva in Central and Eastern Europe, Medley in Brazil, Shantha Biotechnics in India, Chattem in the United States and Genzyme, whose rare-disease and specialty-care capabilities materially broadened Sanofi's portfolio. The 2016 exchange of Merial for Boehringer Ingelheim's consumer healthcare business shifted the group away from animal health and strengthened its consumer-health presence. Later transactions added specialist pharmaceutical and biotechnology assets, including Bioverativ, Ablynx, Protein Sciences and Synthorx. Sanofi is listed in Paris under the symbol SAN and also trades in the United States under an American depositary receipt symbol. It is a component of the Euro Stoxx 50 index. The company operates research, manufacturing, commercial and distribution activities across numerous regions, serving healthcare systems, physicians, pharmacies and consumers. Its present identity is that of a global pharmaceutical and vaccines company rather than a diversified chemicals, agriculture or animal-health conglomerate, reflecting the divestitures and strategic refocusing undertaken since the Sanofi-Aventis era.

History

Sanofi was established on 15 February 1973 as a subsidiary of Elf Aquitaine after Elf took control of Labaz, a pharmaceutical business with roots in postwar Belgium-linked chemical and pharmaceutical activity. During the 1990s, Sanofi expanded outside France, including through its investment in Hungary's Chinoin and its acquisition of prescription-pharmaceutical operations associated with Sterling Winthrop in the United States. Synthélabo, the other major component of the later group, had been formed through the combination of Laboratoires Dausse and Laboratoires Robert & Carrière and was majority-controlled by L'Oréal. Sanofi and Synthélabo merged in 1999. The combined company simplified its portfolio by selling or separating several non-core activities, including beauty, diagnostics, animal health, nutrition and certain equipment and chemical operations. Its subsequent growth was shaped by the 2004 acquisition of Aventis, itself created through the 1999 merger of Rhône-Poulenc and Hoechst Marion Roussel. The transaction followed an initially hostile offer and substantial negotiation involving the French government. Sanofi-Synthélabo became Sanofi-Aventis, bringing together prescription medicines, vaccines and a broader international commercial platform. During the late 2000s and early 2010s, Sanofi pursued acquisitions and partnerships to offset patent expiry, strengthen emerging-market operations and build consumer health and specialty-care businesses. It acquired Zentiva, Medley Farma, Shantha Biotechnics, Chattem and other assets. Its collaboration with Regeneron supported development of antibody medicines, while its acquisition of Genzyme in 2011 significantly increased its exposure to rare diseases, renal disease, endocrinology and other specialist areas. The company changed its name from Sanofi-Aventis to Sanofi in May 2011. The group continued to reshape its portfolio through biotechnology acquisitions and asset transactions. The 2016 exchange with Boehringer Ingelheim transferred Sanofi's Merial animal-health operations and brought in Boehringer's consumer-health business. Sanofi subsequently acquired Protein Sciences, Bioverativ and Ablynx, and announced further biotechnology transactions such as the acquisition of Synthorx. These moves reflected a growing emphasis on vaccines, immunology, rare diseases, specialty medicines and biologic platforms. Sanofi has also faced litigation and historical controversies connected with products and predecessor businesses. These include disputes involving the antiplatelet medicine Plavix and litigation concerning HIV-contaminated haemophilia blood products sold during the 1980s by predecessor-related businesses. Such matters form part of the historical record of the wider corporate lineage, but they should not be confused with Sanofi's current product portfolio or operating structure. Today, Sanofi is a publicly traded global pharmaceutical company with vaccines, innovative medicines and consumer-health capabilities, operating through research, manufacturing and commercial organizations across the world.

2019
Paul Hudson becomes chief executive
[2]Sanofi executive committeesanofi.com
Paul Hudson succeeded Olivier Brandicourt as chief executive.
2018
Bioverativ and Ablynx acquisitions
[1]Sanofien.wikipedia.org
The company expanded its specialty and biotechnology portfolio through two major acquisitions.
2016
Consumer-health asset exchange
[1]Sanofien.wikipedia.org
Sanofi exchanged Merial for Boehringer Ingelheim's consumer-health business and cash.
2011
Genzyme acquisition and name change
[1]Sanofien.wikipedia.org
Sanofi acquired Genzyme and later adopted the shorter Sanofi name.
2004
Aventis combination
[1]Sanofien.wikipedia.org
Sanofi-Synthélabo acquired Aventis and became Sanofi-Aventis.
1999
Sanofi merges with Synthélabo
[1]Sanofien.wikipedia.org
The merger created Sanofi-Synthélabo, a major French pharmaceutical group.
1993
Expansion into Central and Eastern Europe
[1]Sanofien.wikipedia.org
Sanofi acquired a controlling interest in Hungary's Chinoin, broadening its regional presence.
1973
Sanofi is established
[1]Sanofien.wikipedia.org
Sanofi was formed as a pharmaceutical subsidiary of Elf Aquitaine after Elf took control of Labaz.

Products and positioning

Global pharmaceutical and vaccines company focused on innovative medicines, specialty care, immunology, rare diseases and public-health products.

Immunology medicine · 2017
Dupixent
Dupixent is a biologic medicine developed with Regeneron and used in several inflammatory conditions involving type 2 inflammation. It became one of Sanofi's leading innovative-medicine products and illustrates the company's strategic emphasis on immunology and specialty care. Its approved uses and commercial arrangements differ by jurisdiction.
Diabetes medicine · 2000
Lantus
Lantus is Sanofi's branded insulin glargine product for diabetes management. It was a major product in the company's historical diabetes franchise and helped establish Sanofi as a significant insulin manufacturer. The product competes with other basal-insulin products and is marketed under different regulatory and reimbursement conditions across countries.
Vaccines
Flu vaccines
Sanofi's vaccines business produces influenza vaccines for seasonal immunization programs and other markets. Vaccine activities are associated with Sanofi Pasteur, the group's vaccines division, which supplies public-health systems and private healthcare channels internationally. Product formulations and brand names vary by region and season.
Specialty medicines · 2011
Genzyme rare-disease portfolio
The Genzyme portfolio brought treatments and development capabilities in rare diseases, renal disease, endocrinology, oncology and related specialty areas into Sanofi. These assets strengthened the company's position in conditions requiring specialized diagnosis, manufacturing and patient support rather than mass-market primary care distribution.
Cardiovascular medicine · 1997
Plavix
Plavix is the brand name for clopidogrel, an antiplatelet medicine commercialized by Sanofi with Bristol Myers Squibb. It became one of the world's leading medicines and a major subject of patent litigation when generic entry was attempted in the United States. Commercial rights and branding have varied by market.

Controversies

2021
Sanofi workers strike over planned job cuts
In January 2021, unions at Sanofi held a one-day strike at a research and development facility in France to protest planned job cuts. Union members said the cuts could slow the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. The action was reported as a strike over job cuts at the French coronavirus vaccine maker.
Source
2021
Virginia woman files Zantac cancer lawsuit
In a lawsuit reported in August 2021, Deborah Haskins sued the makers of Zantac, alleging that the drug caused her esophageal cancer and that its makers failed to warn consumers of the risks. The report states that research had not explicitly linked Zantac to cancer. The account is limited to the filing and the plaintiff's allegations; it does not describe a court ruling, settlement, or regulatory finding.
Source
2020
Sanofi clarifies its position on global vaccine access
Sanofi clarified that any Covid-19 vaccine it developed would be made available to all, after remarks by its CEO about US patients receiving priority access to doses produced in the United States angered the French government. The CEO said he was sorry his earlier remarks had caused a storm.
Source
2020
Sanofi stops Kevzara COVID-19 clinical trials
Sanofi stopped clinical trials of Kevzara for COVID-19 after tests found adverse effects, including pneumonia and death in some patients. The company said it no longer planned further COVID-19 clinical studies of the drug.
Source
2020
Court enters summary judgment in Mylan's favor in Sanofi lawsuit
The U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas entered summary judgment in Mylan's favor in a lawsuit brought by Sanofi concerning EpiPen products. Viatris characterized the court action as rejecting Sanofi's allegations of anticompetitive practices. The source reports a judgment in Mylan's favor and does not describe a separate finding of misconduct.
Source
2020
Sanofi U.S. reaches $11.85 million settlement with federal government
Sanofi U.S. announced an $11.85 million settlement agreement with the federal government to resolve an investigation relating to donations made in 2015 and 2016 to an independent charity patient assistance foundation. The company stated that the settlement did not constitute an admission of guilt.
Source
2019
Sanofi recalls Zantac in the United States and Canada
In October 2019, Sanofi announced that it would voluntarily recall Zantac from stores in the United States and Canada. According to the company, the recall would take place while Sanofi and regulators investigated NDMA detected in the drug. The announcement concerned the withdrawal of the product from the market in both countries during that investigation.
Source
2019
Sanofi Taiwan agrees to recall Tritace batch U322
Sanofi Taiwan agreed to a preventive recall of the entire Tritace 10mg batch U322 after dark spots were found on some tablets and contamination was suspected. The FDA said Sanofi Taiwan would be required to recall the batch by Jan. 9.
Source
2006
Litigation over contaminated haemophilia blood products
Iraqi plaintiffs sued Sanofi and Baxter over HIV-contaminated haemophilia blood products sold in the 1980s through businesses connected with the predecessor Merieux organization. The matter concerned historical blood-product activities and predecessor corporate entities.
Source

2019
Appoint Paul Hudson as chief executiveOther
Background
Sanofi changed leadership after Olivier Brandicourt's tenure as the company continued to refocus on innovative medicines and specialty care.
Action taken
Paul Hudson became chief executive.
Aftermath
Hudson's tenure continued the company's emphasis on vaccines, immunology, rare diseases and research-led growth.
Source
2016
Exchange Merial for consumer healthcare assetsM&A
Background
Sanofi wanted to expand consumer healthcare while reducing its exposure to animal health.
Action taken
Sanofi transferred Merial to Boehringer Ingelheim in exchange for Boehringer's consumer-health business and cash.
Aftermath
The transaction made Sanofi a stronger global consumer-health participant and removed animal health from its core portfolio.
Source
2011
Acquire GenzymeM&A
Background
Sanofi sought to strengthen specialty care and rare-disease capabilities as mature products faced competitive and patent pressures.
Action taken
Sanofi acquired Genzyme and integrated its rare-disease and specialist biotechnology activities.
Aftermath
Genzyme became a major foundation of Sanofi's specialty-care strategy.
Transaction value. (2011)
Source
2004
Acquire AventisM&A
Background
Sanofi-Synthélabo sought to combine with Aventis to create a larger pharmaceutical group and secure a broader product and research base.
Action taken
After an initially hostile offer and negotiations, Sanofi-Synthélabo increased its offer and completed the acquisition.
Aftermath
The combined company operated as Sanofi-Aventis and inherited extensive prescription, vaccines and international operations.
Transaction value. (2004)
Source

Recent events

2026-10-30
Sanofi reports third-quarter 2026 results[15]赛诺菲公布2026年第三季度业绩themarketsdaily.com
Reported: 2026-11-02
Sanofi reported third-quarter 2026 sales growth of 14.3% at constant exchange rates and business earnings per share of 3.55, up 19.6% at constant exchange rates from the third quarter of 2025.
2026-10-30
Sanofi raises 2026 full-year guidance[15]赛诺菲公布2026年第三季度业绩themarketsdaily.com
Reported: 2026-11-02
Sanofi raised its 2026 guidance, saying it now expects full-year sales to grow by a low-teens percentage and business earnings per share by a mid-teens percentage, both at constant exchange rates.
2026-10-26
Sanofi and Khalifa University genomic research agreement[16]赛诺菲与哈利法大学基因组研究协议gulfnews.com
Reported: 2026-10-26
Sanofi signed a genomic research agreement with Khalifa University to study genetic factors behind asthma and COPD using governed local health and genomic datasets. The article gives conflicting timing (“Last week” and “this week”), so the event date is set to the article’s publication date.
Unconfirmed
Sanofi expands Regeneron partnership with deal worth up to $8 billion[17]赛诺菲扩大与再生元的合作，交易金额最高达80亿美元news.google.com
Reported: 2026-10-01
Reuters reported that Sanofi expanded its partnership with Regeneron through a deal worth up to $8 billion, described as a win for Sanofi's new chief executive.
2022-02-04
Sanofi unveils a new corporate brand and logo[18]赛诺菲推出新企业品牌和标识pharmatimes.com
Reported: 2022-02-04
Sanofi revealed a new corporate brand and logo as part of its modernisation and transformation.
2022-02-04
FDA approves Sanofi's Enjaymo for cold agglutinin disease[19]FDA批准赛诺菲Enjaymo用于治疗冷凝集素病finanznachrichten.de
Reported: 2022-02-04
The U.S. FDA approved Sanofi's Enjaymo (sutimlimab-jome) to decrease the need for red blood cell transfusions due to hemolysis in adults with cold agglutinin disease. The source describes it as the first and only approved treatment for the condition.
2022-02-03
Sanofi unveils new corporate brand and logo[20]赛诺菲推出新的企业品牌和标识finanznachrichten.de
Reported: 2022-02-03
Sanofi unveiled a new corporate brand and logo, bringing its business units Sanofi Pasteur and Sanofi Genzyme, along with other acquired brands, under the singular Sanofi name and brand.
2022-01-18
ABL Bio and Sanofi announce Parkinson’s treatment collaboration[21]ABL Bio与赛诺菲宣布合作开发帕金森病疗法healio.com
Reported: 2022-01-18
ABL Bio announced a collaboration and worldwide license agreement with Sanofi to develop and commercialize ABL301, a preclinical-stage treatment candidate for Parkinson’s disease and other potential indications. Sanofi is to receive worldwide exclusive development and commercialization rights once the transaction becomes effective.
2022-01-07
Sanofi and Exscientia announce drug-development partnership[22]赛诺菲与Exscientia宣布药物开发合作yahoo.com
Reported: 2022-01-07
Sanofi and Exscientia said they would partner to develop up to 15 drug candidates across oncology and immunology, in a deal worth up to $5.2 billion in milestone payments. Exscientia will lead discovery and design through candidate nomination, after which Sanofi will take charge of clinical development.
2021-12-03
Sanofi announces acquisition of Origimm[23]赛诺菲宣布收购Origimmnutraingredients.com
Reported: 2021-12-03
Sanofi announced the acquisition of Origimm Biotechnology, adding the company's ORI-001 acne vaccine candidate to Sanofi's early-stage pipeline. The article said the acquisition was expected to complete that month.

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