Sanofi Expects $38 billion Sales Boost from New Drugs

By Inti Landauro 

PARIS--French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi SA said Thursday that it expects to launch 18 new drugs by 2020 that could boost sales by up to EUR30 billion ($37.6 billion) over five years.

The company expects to launch six new drugs in 2015 and another one every six months from 2016 to 2018. The string of new products hitting the market is the result of an effort launched by the company in 2008 to renovate its portfolio of products as many of its best-selling drug patents were about to expire, said Chief Executive Serge Weinberg, in a statement released ahead of a presentation to investors.

The new drugs will treat rare diseases and diabetes as well as providing improved care for cardiovascular ailments, immunology and public health, said Elias Zerhouni, the company's head of research and development.

The company also said Thursday that it expects revenue from diabetes treatment sales to be flat to slightly higher between 2015 and 2018.

Separately it announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration had agreed to speed up the approval process for Dupilumab, a drug developed in partnership with Regeneron Pharmaceutical Inc. to treat atopic dermatitis.

Write to Inti Landauro at [e-mail]

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