Photograph of Zeus, the metal horse, in the royal Courtyard of the Château de Versailles.
Photograph of Zeus, the metal horse, in the royal Courtyard of the Château de Versailles.
Our Legacy
The Sanofi of today is built on a heritage of turning the impossible into the possible for people and communities around the globe.
In the last half century, Sanofi has grown into one of the world’s leading healthcare companies – a culmination of a diverse group of companies that share a rich history in healthcare innovation dating back to the 19th century. Today, our footprint extends to 70 countries, with more than 83,000 employees perpetuating this legacy and united under the common purpose of chasing the miracles of science to improve people’s lives.
A Legacy in Motion
Last summer, we witnessed how the power of a sports event in Paris brought the world together to honor human achievement in a way unlike any other event. Sanofi was proud to celebrate athletic excellence while inspiring, educating, and creating a meaningful impact that will extend far beyond 2024.
Our 8,000-strong team of Sanofians descended on Paris to partake in this unique experience, which is connected to our purpose of chasing the miracles of science to improve people’s lives. To demonstrate this purpose to the external world, our meningitis awareness campaign, featuring Team Sanofi athletes, was front and center and we hosted a 1000m², all-ages exhibition at La Maison Sanofi aimed at bringing science to all and showcasing the impact it can have on people’s lives.
This experience has highlighted the similarities and connection between science and sport, and how both play an important role in society. Now, we’re carrying this spirit into the future.
European Tour: Bringing Science to the People
One of the standout symbols of summer 2024 was Zeus, the metal horse created by Atelier blam that galloped down the Seine during the Opening Ceremony. Starting in March, he’s making his return. Zeus will accompany our European Science Lab Tour, extending our Paris exhibition to other cities. This immersive, interactive experience dives into the science behind the medicines and vaccines of the future. We want to bring our science closer to the people it benefits in an engaging and meaningful way.
Zeus will also be making an extended pit stop at Normandy’s iconic Le Mont-Saint-Michel this summer.
The Horse Rider: Empowering Equity Through Sport
Sanofi is continuing its commitment to promoting diversity, inclusion, and health in partnership with UNESCO’s "Fit for Life" program. The enigmatic Horse Rider, designed by Jeanne Friot, “who guided Zeus down the Seine” is an ongoing reminder of the importance of supporting women’s empowerment through sport.
Sanofi is sponsoring the Sine Qua Non Race in Paris on March 15, to support gender equality and to raise awareness on the unique health challenges faced by women. We’re rallying 100 volunteers and 200 runners for race day, plus thousands more Sanofians can participate virtually via our well-being app, extending the impact globally.
A 50 Year Old Brand, a Few Centuries of Innovation
In 2023, Sanofi celebrated the 50th anniversary of its creation in France. What began as an entrepreneurial adventure, has turned into global company with a heritage of hundreds of companies from around the world with roots going back to the 18th century.
Protecting Public Health With Vaccines
The combination of our innovative vaccines and global reach means that many diseases do not hold the power they once did. Sanofi was the first worldwide supplier of the injectable polio vaccine followed by the first influenza, meningitis, and rabies vaccines.
Today, our portfolio of vaccines protects half a billion people worldwide.
Looking ahead, we have added mRNA technology to our robust set of platforms allowing us to develop future best-in-class vaccines against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza, chlamydia and acne.
A Century of Diabetes Innovation
Since the introduction of insulin in 1923, the lives of people with diabetes have changed radically.
Sanofi has played an important role in establishing standards of care in this space which today is estimated to impact over 530 million people worldwide, supporting them with treatments and tools that can help them manage their condition.
Now Sanofi is using its expertise in the space to go a step further with introduction of the first disease modifying treatment for people at risk of developing stage 3 type 1 diabetes.
Leading the Way in Immunology and Neurology
Sanofi has rapidly become a worldwide leader in immunology. Building on the work we’ve done to unlock understanding of type 2 inflammation, we now aim to tackle inflammation beyond type 2 – including across a variety of treatment modalities and from the mildest to the most severe forms. Our bold approach has allowed us to build an industry-leading pipeline with approximately a dozen next-generation medicines that have the potential to be first or best in class in the areas of dermatology, respiratory, and gastroenterology.
Sanofi’s success in developing advanced disease modifying treatments for relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis also provides a strong foundation for further discovery and development in the field. Sanofi is exploring multiple MS therapies with innovative and unique mechanisms.
A Rich History in Rare Disease
Sanofi’s pioneering work in the rare disease space began in the 1980s when researchers began studying lysosomal storage disorders, resulting in the groundbreaking discovery of enzyme replacement therapies for previously untreatable Gaucher, Fabry and Pompe diseases.
Sanofi’s advocacy for and strong partnerships with the rare disease community has also led to better access to orphan drugs and the establishment of a first of its kind Humanitarian Program, providing free therapies for people facing financial or logistical barriers.
In recent years, Sanofi has expanded its R&D scope, building one of the most robust rare blood disorder pipelines in the industry, with the goal of fundamentally redefining management of diseases like hemophilia A.