Sanofi has inaugurated the Charles Best Building, a C$925 million influenza-vaccine manufacturing facility at its Toronto campus that is expected to manufacture Fluzone High-Dose for adults age 65 and older.
The facility is fully operational and, pending regulatory approval, is scheduled to begin production in early 2027 for the 2027-28 influenza season.
The C$925 million investment includes C$415 million from the Government of Canada and C$55 million from the Government of Ontario. Sanofi said the project is the largest investment in a biomanufacturing facility in Canadian history.
The building will add end-to-end vaccine manufacturing capacity in Canada. Sanofi said the facility will also provide industrial-scale capacity for Canada’s response to future influenza pandemics.
The facility is located on Sanofi’s 52-acre Toronto property and is named for Charles Best, a co-discoverer of insulin and an early medical director at what is now the Sanofi Toronto Campus.
Construction began in 2021. The site’s inauguration was attended by Canada’s Minister of Industry Mélanie Joly, Health Minister Marjorie Michel, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow and other federal and provincial government representatives, along with Sanofi executives.
The expansion is expected to create approximately 300 jobs in advanced biomanufacturing, according to Sanofi.
Fluzone High-Dose is an influenza vaccine indicated for adults 65 years of age and older. Sanofi said the Toronto campus conducts vaccine research and development and manufacturing, with products distributed to more than 60 countries.
Sanofi said the facility will manufacture Fluzone High-Dose after receiving the required regulatory approval.
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