Sanofi to close Kansas plant impacting 370 employees

Sanofi-aventis is initiating the phased closing its manufacturing facility in Kansas, US, with complete shutdown expected to occur in 2012 and impact on 370 employees.

The action has been taken after the company failed to find a buyer for the site which produces solid-dose oral medications including Allegra (fexofenadine), Sanofi’s antihistamine.

Sanofi has praised the facility and its staff, who it intends to help through the transition period while output is cut, but the operations were no longer viable.

Alain Peychaud, head of manufacturing for the Pharma Solids operations of Sanofi, explained that “the decision was made based on a strong decline in demand”.