The mayor of Laval and Laval Technopole applaud SANOFI Canada's decision to relocate its head office to the Biotech city in Laval

MONTREAL, May 4, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Laval Mayor Gilles Vaillancourt and Pierre Desroches, President and Executive Director of LAVAL TECHNOPOLE and Chairman of the Board of Directors for The Biotech City, were pleased to learn that Sanofi Canada plans to move its Head Office to The Biotech City in Laval. Sanofi Canada announced its decision on May 2, 2012, at the opening of the Scientific and Business Symposium at The Biotech City. As a result, Sanofi Canada will join more than 80 companies with a combined workforce of close to 5,000 professionals working at The Biotech City in the life sciences sector.

According to Gilles Vaillancourt, Mayor of Laval: "I am delighted by Sanofi Canada's decision to pursue its Canadian operations in Laval, and the fact that it shared this wonderful news on the 10th anniversary of The Biotech City. Sanofi is a pillar of the Laval scientific economy and a leader in the pharmaceutical industry. This beacon of the Laval business community has been part of our economic history since 1968, and I am pleased to know that it plans to remain here as it continues to pursue its commitment to life sciences."

The company will also take advantage of the occasion to move the Sanofi Consumer Healthcare unit, which is currently located in Saint-Laurent, to its new facilities in Laval. The Head Office will continue to house Sanofi Canada's Clinical Research Unit, which is currently overseeing more than 90 clinical trials across the country.

Pierre Desroches added: "This announcement comes at a very important time for the life sciences industry in Québec. The Biotech City represents the ideal hub for business and science, and it is equipped to meet the needs of pharmaceutical multinationals like Sanofi Canada."

About The Biotech City (www.citebiotech.com)
The Biotech City is a scientific and business campus that is unique in Québec and Canada, where companies can carry out all phases in the development of a medication, from research and proof of concept to pre-clinical trials, formulation and clinical trials, all the way to production and commercialization.

About LAVAL TECHNOPOLE (www.lavaltechnopole.com)
LAVAL TECHNOPOLE plays a leading role in promoting and ensuring the economic development of the City of Laval. In addition to its strong industrial sector, LAVAL TECHNOPOLE's other sectors of excellence include the BIOPOLE, the e-POLE, the INDUSTRIAL POLE and the AGROPOLE.

Sylvie Gauthier, Director of Marketing and Communication, LAVAL TECHNOPOLE
Tel.: [phone], cell. : 514-217 6371, [email protected]