Big Pharma Sanofi ($SNY) is seeking to expand its U.K. inhalation and nasal spray center due to increased demand for the drug delivery devices and associated medications, especially those manufactured on behalf of third parties.
A U.K. business-to-business news outlet reports that the plant in Cheshire, U.K., employs 320 people and supplies markets worldwide. By 2017, Sanofi hopes to increase the manufacturing, warehouse and lab space at the facility.
An application for expansion with the local government says that, "Sanofi are currently experiencing a period of growth at their operations in Holmes Chapel (part of Cheshire) with additional third-party products being manufactured under contract. In addition, a further area of growth is utilisation of its site-wide facilities to undertake research, development and manufacturing of new drug products for third-party companies."
In addition, it says that "the primary objective of the site vision is to ensure that there is sufficient manufacturing space, office space and infrastructure to accommodate the increased number of personnel working on site to achieve the improved manufacturing quantities," according to the in-Pharma Technologist.
The local government aims to rule on the proposed expansion by Nov. 26.
The facility is one of three Sanofi manufacturing sites in the U.K., with the others being located at Fawdon near Newcastle-Upon-Tyne and Suffolk.
The expansion plan comes as Sanofi undergoes a reorg which result in the creation of 5 business units: general medicines and emerging markets, specialty care, diabetes and cardiovascular, Vaccines and animal health.
- read the in-Pharma Technologist's take
- here's more from Insider Media