Thermo Fisher Scientific announced an expansion of its strategic partnership with Sanofi through the planned acquisition of Sanofi’s sterile drug product manufacturing facility in Ridgefield, NJ. According to the company, the move is expected to enhance Thermo Fisher’s US-based sterile fill-finish capabilities and strengthen its ability to serve both Sanofi and a broader range of pharma and biotech clients seeking domestic manufacturing capacity. Financial terms of the were not disclosed, but the transaction is expected to close during the second half of 2025.

Thermo Fisher stated that it plans to broaden the site’s use to address increasing demand from pharmaceutical and biotech companies for domestic manufacturing capacity. Following the completion of the transaction, more than 200 Sanofi employees at the Ridgefield site will transition to Thermo Fisher.¹

What does Thermo Fisher’s deal with Sanofi Mean for US drug manufacturing?

Thermo Fisher emphasized the strategic importance of its expanded collaboration with Sanofi’s Ridgefield site in a recent statement.

“Sanofi’s Ridgefield site will strengthen our US manufacturing capabilities, enabling us to better support our pharmaceutical and biotech customers with the critical production capacity needed for essential medicines,” said Marc N. Casper, chairman, president, CEO, Thermo Fisher, in a press release. “We will also expand and further strengthen our long-standing partnership with Sanofi, while investing to bring additional capacity and enhanced capabilities at this site. We look forward to welcoming all Ridgefield employees to Thermo Fisher later this year.”

Investment follows broader push for US-based manufacturing

The deal comes amid recent efforts by the company to increase production in the United States. In April, Thermo Fisher announced that it was investing $2 billion in US operations over the next four years, with the goal of bolstering domestic innovation and manufacturing capabilities in the life sciences sector. The investment includes $1.5 billion in capital expenditures to expand manufacturing and $500 million towards R&D aimed at supporting high-impact innovations. Additionally, it is expected to build upon its US network of 64 manufacturing facilities across 37 states.²

Deal with Xcellbio reflects 2025 partnership momentum

The deal marks the latest of the year for Thermo Fisher. In June, the company announced that it had agreed to terms with Xcellbio to improve research efforts around regulatory T-cells and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. The partnership aims to improve manufacturing workflows using Thermo Fisher’s automated, closed-system platforms to enable more scalable and consistent cell therapy production.³

Rising tariffs spur shift toward domestic production

The deal also comes amid US President Donald Trump’s announcement that a number of new tariffs are expected to go into effect on Aug. 1, including a 25% import tax on both Japan and South Korea, as well as new taxes on twelve other nations. Thermo Fisher, along with companies such as Regeneron, Roche, and Merck, has moved to increase production in the United States in an effort to comply with the tariffs. However, this process can take several years without the necessary infrastructure already established.⁴

Ridgefield site to join Thermo Fisher's pharma services division

Once the transaction is finalized, Sanofi’s Ridgefield facility will be integrated into Thermo Fisher’s pharma services business under its Laboratory Products and Biopharma Services division.¹

"This expansion of our long-term partnership with Thermo Fisher will help ensure a continued supply of high-quality Sanofi products, maintaining our commitment to American manufacturing and supporting our customers and patients in the US, while enabling the future development and growth of the site,” said Brendan O’Callaghan, global head, manufacturing, supply, Sanofi, in the press release.

References

1. Thermo Fisher Scientific and Sanofi Expand Strategic Partnership to Enable Additional U.S. Drug Product Manufacturing. Business Wire. July 16, 2025. Accessed July 16, 2025. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250716530796/en/Thermo-Fisher-Scientific-and-Sanofi-Expand-Strategic-Partnership-to-Enable-Additional-U.S.-Drug-Product-Manufacturing

2. Tracy D. Thermo Fisher to Invest $2 Billion in US Biotech Manufacturing, R&D. PharmExec. April 28, 2025. Accessed July 16, 2025. https://www.pharmexec.com/view/thermo-fisher-invest-2-billion-us-biotech-manufacturing-rd

3. Saraceno N. Xcellbio, Thermo Fisher Team up to Advance Cell Therapy Manufacturing. Pharmaceutical Commerce. June 25, 2025. Accessed July 16, 2025. https://www.pharmaceuticalcommerce.com/view/xcellbio-thermo-fisher-advance-cell-therapy-manufacturing

4. Saraceno N. Trump Imposes 25% Tariffs on Japan, South Korea, and a Dozen Other Nations. Pharmaceutical Commerce. July 8, 2025. Accessed July 16, 2025. https://www.pharmaceuticalcommerce.com/view/trump-imposes-tariffs-japan-south-korea-dozen-other-nations