Sanofi is set to transfer 20 mature medicines and three manufacturing sites to European pharmaceutical company Cheplapharm under a new strategic partnership that will also give Sanofi a 26.4% equity stake in Cheplapharm.

 

The proposed transaction expands a relationship between the two companies that began in 2014 and is designed to allow Sanofi to sharpen its focus on innovative medicines while Cheplapharm takes on a larger role in managing established products.

 

The medicines being transferred include Lovenox/Clexane (enoxaparin), excluding the US, a major anticoagulant brand.

 

"Our multi-year journey to simplify our mature portfolio has enabled us to focus on innovation while ensuring mature medicines continue to reach patients who need them. Cheplapharm has been a trusted partner for more than a decade and this transaction significantly builds on its prior acquisitions from Sanofi's mature medicines portfolio. 

 

"This new partnership, together with our equity stake in Cheplapharm, underscores our commitment to ensuring patients continue to benefit from today’s essential medicines while also pursuing tomorrow’s breakthroughs," said Thomas Grenier, Executive Vice President, General Medicines, Sanofi.

 

The deal will also transfer three Sanofi manufacturing facilities to Cheplapharm: Csanyikvölgy in Hungary, Jurong in Singapore and Ploërmel in France.

 

Together, the sites employ about 565 people — around 400 in Hungary, 100 in Singapore and 65 in France.

 

Cheplapharm said existing employment arrangements and collective agreements would be maintained as the sites change ownership.

 

"This partnership marks a major milestone for Cheplapharm. Through this project, we are incorporating products that complement our extensive portfolio, as well as the expertise and manufacturing capabilities required to produce a flagship product, Lovenox/Clexane. 

 

"This represents a long-term pharmaceutical and industrial commitment: to invest in our sites and their expertise, to preserve rare skills, and to ensure the long-term availability of these treatments for patients. We are proud to pursue this ambition alongside Sanofi," said Edeltraud Lafer and Sebastian Braun, both Co-CEOs of Cheplapharm.

 

The commercial transfer of the medicine portfolio is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2027, with the manufacturing sites to follow. Completion of the overall transaction is expected by the third quarter of 2027.

 

For Sanofi, the deal represents another step in its effort to streamline its mature-medicines portfolio and concentrate resources on research and innovation. For Cheplapharm, it expands both its product portfolio and manufacturing footprint.