The responsible use of animals is essential for the research and production of medicines and vaccines. Our global research and analytical control strategy combines use of animals with non-animal methods, use of patient data, and clinical research.
An Animal Ethics Advisory Committee determines guidelines and positions adopted by Sanofi on animal use and care, and ensures they are compatible with international recommendations.
In line with our principles on animal protection, we are committed to developing alternative approaches and subscribe fully to the “3Rs” (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement) principle on the use of animals in research and production. We use animals only when a non-animal method is unsuited for the required use or not accepted by authorities (replacement), with the smallest number of animals necessary for good science (reduction); and we use advanced methods to prevent any suffering or distress related to their housing and procedure conditions (refinement). Sanofi authorizes animal use only when the regulatory and scientific merit is established, and under strict ethical oversight.
Our key animal protection principles are embedded in our Code of Conduct. We apply the same principles to subcontractors and breeders: their animal welfare program is assessed by our professionals to ensure consistency of animal care considerations across geographies.
Sanofi is one of the signatories of the Marseille Declaration on the worldwide implementation of high standards for animals housed and used internally and externally by the industry for scientific purposes, aiming at extending and accelerating the global and consistent implementation of the highest standards for the care and use of laboratory animals.
In support of our animal protection strategy, several priorities have been defined and progresses are monitored on a regular basis:
- To develop and support pathways to ensure the success of the “Integrated Research and Testing Strategy” and ultimately reduce the reliance on the use of animals;
- To maintain the highest animal care and use standards beyond regulatory inspections and through accreditation, and to foster a culture of care;
- To monitor the compliance of third parties (breeders, contract research organizations, scientific collaborations);
- To contribute to regulatory debates, in relationship with animal protection rules on one side and with regulatory acceptance of non-animal methods on the other side;
- To address societal concerns and to strengthen ethical considerations about the use of animals for scientific purposes;
- To improve communication regarding animal use and to initiate a culture of openness.
Sanofi’s objective is to reduce the number of animals used in-house and externally by 50%, between 2020 and 2030.
Our Performance in 2024
- The total number of animals used at Sanofi sites in 2024 was 124,905. The number of animals used externally was 42,503. Since 2020, combining animals used at Sanofi sites and through external partners, we have reduced the number of animals used by 48%.
- Sanofi is using animals at 12 sites in 7 countries. At 10 of those sites, we are directly responsible for housing and caring for the animals we use. Those 10 sites have AAALAC International accreditation. AAALAC International accreditation is a continuous improvement process, which guarantees high standards in the use and welfare of animals, in line with our voluntary commitment to have independent certification at all Sanofi sites. Once obtained, accreditation must be maintained through annual reporting and a full re-accreditation process every three years. 2 Sanofi sites have renewed their AAALAC Internationalaccreditation in 2024. As for the other 2 sites, where animals are not housed on Sanofi premises, one also has AAALAC International accreditation and the other one was assessed and found to comply with our animal protection principles (i.e., equivalent to AAALAC International standards).
- Per our global procedure on the animal welfare assessment of external partners involving animals, 43 contracted research organizations and 29 academic institutions conducting tests on animals, as well as 6 animal suppliers, were subject to an evaluation by our in-house specialists. Except for one where critical discrepancy was identified and that was excluded from our partners’ list, all these partners were found to comply with our animal protection principles.