Sanofi-Aventis revealed plans to spend 70 million euros ($103 million) to build a flu-vaccine factory in Shenzhen, located in the southern part of China. Construction will begin next year, with expectations that the plant will be operational in 2012. Sanofi admitted its vaccine will be more expensive than those produced by other China manufacturers, presumably domestic China companies. Sanofi does not expect to compete on price, but feels that the Sanofi name, together with the international standards to which the company adheres, would create sufficient appeal for the higher-price Sanofi vaccines. More details...

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