Sanofi provides Hurricane Sandy relief donations

Sanofi has announced that it will be providing extensive donations to help relief efforts to assist the victims of Hurricane Sandy in New Jersey.

The company is contributing $500,000 (313,600 pounds) in cash to the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund, the Community Food Bank of New Jersey and the Children's Health Fund for both immediate and long-term needs.

Meanwhile, a special programme sponsored by the Sanofi Foundation for North
America will see the firm match all donations between $25 and $2,500 made by US employees directly to the American Red Cross.

Sanofi's US headquarters are based in Bridgewater, New Jersey, meaning many of its employees and neighbours have been directly affected by the incident.

Christopher Viehbacher, chief executive officer of Sanofi, said: "We are committed to helping those impacted by the storm and hope that our assistance will support the incredible relief efforts that are underway in the hardest hit areas at the point of need."

In September 2012, the company announced a new alliance with the not-for-profit organisation the Global Alliance for TB Drug Development, which will focus on the creation of new therapies for tuberculosis.