Sanofi has announced the inauguration of its new modular vaccine and biomedicine production unit, Modulus, in Neuville-sur-Saône, France.

Its standardised mini-factories equipped with interconnected, modular equipment allow the 24,000m² facility to adapt and reconfigure rapidly for the production of up to four different products simultaneously.

Modulus can also rapidly reconfigure itself to switch technological platforms such as live attenuated viral vaccines, recombinant protein, or messenger RNA vaccines and treatments created from biotechnologies such as enzymes or monoclonal antibodies.

The plant was established with €500m funding and will be operational by the end of 2025.

It will create 200 jobs in France.

Sanofi CEO Paul Hudson stated: “The creation of Modulus is one of our greatest prides, the result of Sanofi’s unique industrial know-how. It is not just a new, more modern, ecological and connected factory, but a revolution in the way we will manufacture vaccines and biomedicines in the coming decades.

“We have re-invented everything, from the design of the building to the way we collaborate with health authorities, to imagine a factory that will be best able to meet the health challenges of patients in France and around the world. With Modulus, Sanofi offers France and Europe unrivalled leadership in health sovereignty.”

The inauguration of the facility follows a recent announcement of more than €1bn investment aimed at doubling monoclonal antibody production at the Vitry-sur-Seine site and enhancing active ingredient production in southern France.

The latest development comes after Sanofi and Vir Biotechnology concluded an exclusive worldwide licence agreement for multiple clinical-stage T-cell engagers.