Animal Welfare

The use of animals in Research and Development remains a necessity for new and commercialised medicines and vaccines.

It is our responsibility to provide them with a high standard of living and the best possible care.

Sanofi has set a global policy on the protection of animals. This policy is applicable to all Sanofi sites, breeders, and external partners. All animals are supplied by specialised breeders, which have been approved by animal welfare experts at Sanofi.

In the UK, our biopharmaceutical company, Kymab based in Cambridge, carries out research on animals to produce novel therapeutic antibodies with potential to treat a wide variety of immune and inflammatory diseases.

Sanofi is fully committed to the principles of the 3Rs (Replace, Reduce, and Refine). Sanofi uses animals only when a non-animal method is unsuited for the required use or not accepted by the competent authorities (Replacement), with the smallest number necessary for quality science (Reduction) and implements state-of-the-art practices to promote animal welfare and prevent animal pain and distress in housing and procedure conditions (Refinement).

The methods we use to ensure the quality, efficacy and safety of our products include assays in cells and tissues, and computer modelisation, in addition to animal studies and clinical trials in patients.

Sanofi is a signatory to the Concordat on Openness on Animal Research in the UK, alongside other pharma companies, organisations, charities and associations. This is a UK commitment to help the public understand more about why animals are used in research.