May 3rd 2018, Beijing -- Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines global business unit of Sanofi, and the Lyon Sino-French institute jointly signed a strategic partnership agreement with the goal of establishing a strategic partnership that enhances the social and economic development and cultural exchange with China, as well as contribute to China-France friendship and cooperation. The signing ceremony, which took place in Beijing, was witnessed by the French delegation, as well as the representatives from Sanofi Pasteur China.

“Sanofi believes that public health is not only a medical responsibility, but also a social responsibility, which is all about the health and interest of the people. We also believe that there is still a large unmet need on disease prevention in China where Sanofi Pasteur can play important roles and has huge contributions. ” Said Nathan Pang, General Manager of Sanofi Pasteur China, “Having been rooted in China for over 30 years, we would like to keep our commitment to China market, to expand the scope of disease protection. We believe that we will continue to be dedicated in providing innovative and high-quality vaccines to prevent diseases, and advocating the concept of vaccinations by supplying vaccines to the people who need immunity the most. Though each party performs in different expertise areas, the common objective is shared to serve the best for the benefit of human kind.”

Nearly 100 years ago, groups of Chinese young people harboring the dream of saving the nation, travelled far away abroad to learn new ideas, new knowledge and new concepts. The Lyon Sino-French Institute was the only overseas university institution that China founded in modern times and cultivated many leading figures and various talents. Sino French Institute is symbolic of the historical links between the city of Lyon and China, and of the friendship between the 2 countries.

At Sanofi Pasteur, the origins date back more than a century and are closely linked with the achievements of four pioneers: Louis Pasteur, the Merieux family, John FitzGerald and Richard Slee. The name of Marcel Merieux had a strong connection with that of Louis Pasteur, as well as his partner. In 1897, Marcel Merieux established the Institut Biologique Merieux, where he accomplished many important findings and achievements. The pioneers unlocked the public health potential of vaccination and developed efficient mass production methods to ensure the broadest access to vaccines. Sanofi Pasteur has committed for more than 100 years to extending the life-saving power of vaccination as broadly as possible.

At Sanofi Pasteur, the history is grounded in life science pioneers who discovered how infectious diseases work. Through the Merieux family, and its rigorous scientific spirit, as well the development of industrial-scale production, it has made Sanofi Pasteur an important enterprise in Lyon, “the city of innovation”.

Alongside clean, safe drinking water, immunization is the most successful public health intervention for combating infectious diseases and reducing global mortality rates. Vaccination saves between 2 to 3 million lives each year and today includes a range of vaccines providing protection against 26 infectious diseases .

Vaccination is one of the most cost-effective healthcare investments available. A recent analysis showed that 1 euro invested in a dose to immunize an adult saves 4 euros.

Being the first international biological company from Lyon starting business operation in China, Sanofi Pasteur has become a significant public health partner, as well as a leading stakeholder in the fast growing Chinese vaccine market. Since 1995, Sanofi Pasteur has introduced several important vaccines in China, including the first hydrophobia vaccine, influenza vaccine, HIB vaccine, IPV and pentavaccine. In 2007, Sanofi invested 700 MRMB (USD94m) for a state-of-art influenza vaccine facility in Shenzhen.

For years Sanofi Pasteur is dedicating to collaborating with authority, association and institution to drive the development of public health to protect Chinese people from immunization. Sanofi Pasteur has actively participating in the Polio eradication initiative with its IPV entering the free vaccination market in China. Sanofi Pasteur has been fulfilling its commitment and ensuring the supply of IPV vaccine. Early in 2013, Sanofi Pasteur supported and partnered with Huizhou city of Guangdong Province to launch the first pilot program incorporating IPV into the immunization plan in Huizhou. In 2017, Sanofi Pasteur supplied and satisfied over 50% of market demand of IPV in China.

Also in 2017, Sanofi Pasteur and the China Preventive Medical Association (CPMA) entered a partnership agreement to jointly launch the three-year Cooperation Program on Vaccine-Preventable Diseases to promote vaccines as effective measures and approaches for improving life expectancy and quality of life, and the important roles and values of vaccines in contributing to achieving the Healthy China 2030 goals and tackling public health challenges.