Medizin: Sanofi baut neue Insulinfabrik in Frankfurt für Milliarden

Pharmaceutical company Sanofi is constructing a new insulin manufacturing facility in Frankfurt, Germany, with an investment of approximately 2 billion euros. The project aims to replace an existing insulin production line and ensure a reliable supply of insulin for diabetics across Europe. The new facility, spanning 36,000 square meters, will incorporate advanced artificial intelligence technology and is expected to become one of the largest insulin production sites in Europe upon commissioning in 2032.

Sanofi's CEO, Belen Garijo, emphasized the importance of the new plant during the groundbreaking ceremony at the Frankfurt Höchst industrial park. The pandemic demonstrated the vulnerability of medical care, prompting Sanofi to invest in the next generation of insulin production in Europe. The EU Commission granted permission for state aid of 400 million euros, which the German government, the state of Hesse, and the city of Frankfurt provided.

The new facility will initially produce a minimum of 1.1 tons of insulin annually, and Sanofi plans to stockpile one ton of pharmaceutical insulin to prioritize supplies in case of a shortage. Hesse's Minister-President Boris Rhein (CDU) stated that the new insulin factory contributes to Europe's supply security, strengthening European sovereignty and reducing dependence on third countries.

Diabetes, a global disease, affects over 500 million people worldwide, with the number expected to rise to 800 million by 2050. Without state support, Sanofi would close its German human insulin production site. The company is the sole producer of human insulin in the European Economic Area and one of only two insulin production sites in the region, with the other operated by Novo Nordisk in Denmark.

The presence of insulin production at the Frankfurt site is crucial, as over 4,000 of Sanofi's 6,500 employees in Frankfurt-Höchst are dependent on it for their jobs. The facility covers the entire value chain, from raw material production to filling, manufacturing pens and auto-injectors, and packaging. Sanofi's investment in the Frankfurt location is seen as an extremely important signal for the city and the region, with Oberbürgermeister Mike Josef (SPD) promising continued support for the project.