Sanofi outlines accelerated product launch plans for coming years

Sanofi has announced plans to launch a number of high-potential new medicines and vaccines at an accelerated pace during a recent investor event.

According to the company, up to 18 new launches are expected over the next seven years, with the potential to cumulatively generate more than 30 billion euros (19.17 billion pounds) within the first five years of sales.

This includes six new medicines in 2015 and approximately one new medicine every six months between 2016 and 2018, meeting key medical needs in areas such as rare disease, cardiovascular care, diabetes, immunology and public health.

Strategically important new therapies include products like Cerdelga, Lemtrada, Praluent, Toujeo, Afrezza, Lixilan, sarliumab, dupilumab and the company's investigational dengue vaccine.

Serge Weinberg, chairman of the board and chief executive officer at Sanofi, said: "As we move into this period of successive new product launches, we are investing in launch excellence and execution while continuing to fuel innovation to grow our existing pipeline."

Mr Weinberg is currently serving as the company's chief executive on an interim basis, following the departure of Christopher Viehbacher last month.