Thermo Fisher Expands US Manufacturing Capacity with Acquisition of Sanofi Plant

Thermo Fisher Scientific, a leading provider of scientific and laboratory equipment, has made a significant move to enhance its drug manufacturing capabilities in the United States. The company has acquired a sterile fill-finish and packaging plant from Sanofi in Ridgefield, New Jersey, in a deal that is expected to close before the end of the year.

Strategic Expansion of US Operations

The acquisition of Sanofi's Ridgefield facility is part of Thermo Fisher's broader $2 billion investment pledge in the United States, announced earlier this year. This strategic move aims to address the growing demand for domestic manufacturing capacity from pharmaceutical and biotech customers.

Marc Casper, CEO of Thermo Fisher, emphasized the importance of this acquisition, stating, "Sanofi's Ridgefield site will strengthen our U.S. manufacturing capabilities, enabling us to better support our pharmaceutical and biotech customers with the critical production capacity needed for essential medicines."

The Ridgefield plant will be integrated into Thermo Fisher's Laboratory Products and Biopharma Services segment, which accounted for 52% of the company's $42.9 billion revenue in 2024. This addition complements Thermo Fisher's existing U.S. fill-finish network, which includes sites in Greenville, North Carolina, and Plainville, Massachusetts.

Workforce Integration and Partnership Continuation

As part of the deal, more than 200 Sanofi employees currently working at the Ridgefield site will join Thermo Fisher upon the transaction's completion. This transition ensures continuity of operations and leverages the existing expertise at the facility.

Moreover, Thermo Fisher will continue to manufacture a portfolio of drugs for Sanofi at the site, maintaining and expanding their long-standing partnership. Brendan O'Callaghan, Sanofi's global head of manufacturing & supply, commented on the deal, saying, "This expansion of our long-term partnership with Thermo Fisher will help ensure a continued supply of high-quality Sanofi products, maintaining our commitment to American manufacturing and supporting our customers and patients in the U.S."

Historical Context and Future Prospects

The Ridgefield facility has a rich history in the pharmaceutical industry. Originally acquired by Sanofi through its $20 billion buyout of Genzyme in 2011, the plant has been instrumental in producing injectable drugs. In 2021, it gained additional significance when Sanofi partnered with Moderna to manufacture COVID-19 vaccines at the site.

While financial terms of the current deal were not disclosed, this acquisition represents a significant step in Thermo Fisher's ongoing evolution. The company has recently undergone strategic changes, including workforce reductions in Massachusetts and the closure of one of its viral vector production facilities. In February, Thermo Fisher also expanded its capabilities by acquiring the purification and filtration business of Solventum for $4.1 billion.

As the pharmaceutical landscape continues to evolve, Thermo Fisher's latest acquisition positions the company to play a crucial role in meeting the increasing demand for U.S.-based manufacturing capacity, particularly in the critical areas of sterile fill-finish and packaging for essential medicines.