Sanofi Opens $925M Flu Vaccine Facility In Toronto, Marking Canada’s Largest Bio-manufacturing Investment
Adedokun Waliyu
2 min read
Vaccination healthcare concept. Hands of doctor or nurse in medical gloves injecting a shot of vaccine to a man patient
Sanofi has officially opened a massive new flu‑vaccine manufacturing facility in Toronto — a $925‑million project billed as the largest single bio-manufacturing investment in Canadian history.
The Charles Best Building, located on Sanofi’s 52‑acre Toronto campus, will produce Fluzone High‑Dose, a high‑potency influenza vaccine designed for adults 65 and older, who account for the majority of flu‑related hospitalizations each year.
Sanofi says the facility also adds industrial‑scale, end‑to‑end vaccine manufacturing capacity on Canadian soil, positioning the country to respond more rapidly to future flu pandemics.
The nearly billion‑dollar expansion includes $415 million from the federal government and $55 million from Ontario. Federal Industry Minister Mélanie Joly, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow joined Sanofi executives Wednesday to inaugurate the facility.
“COVID was a very difficult experience. At the time, we were in urgency mode,” Joly said. “We were all about protecting lives. We discovered during that time, key vulnerabilities when it came to vaccines, medical supplies and the supply chain. At the time, we told ourselves, never again.”
Ford added, “if you invest in Ontario, we’re going to invest in you.”
“During the pandemic, we all learned how important it is to have reliable, domestic supplies of critical medicines and vaccines,” the premier said. “With this new facility, we’re making sure Ontario has that capacity for generations to come.”
Construction began in 2021, and the facility is now fully operational. Pending regulatory approval, production is expected to start in early 2027, ahead of the 2027–28 flu season.
“This is a milestone for Toronto, and for Canada,” Chow said. “The people of Toronto, here in Ontario, are ready to step up.”
The expansion will create about 300 highly skilled bio-manufacturing jobs, Sanofi says, with the pharmaceutical company already distributing vaccines made in Toronto to more than 60 countries worldwide.
“My job as the industry minister… is to say yes to these projects,” Joly said.
Fluzone High‑Dose contains four times the antigen of standard flu vaccines, offering stronger protection for older adults — a group disproportionately affected by severe influenza.
“This makes Canadians less reliant on global supply chains for critical healthcare access. It is a forward-thinking commitment to being prepared for future healthcare crises,” said Chow. “Toronto is the perfect place to invest in our resilience and our public health.”
