Sanofi Pasteur

Canada / Ontario / Toronto /
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Originally known as Connaught Laboratories, the facility was acquired by Lyons, France based Sanofi Pasture in 2004. It is a world leader in the production of vaccines.

Following initial experiments in toxicology and immunization at the University of Toronto commencing in 1914, it was felt that a larger and more isolated site was needed to conduct further research into tetanus and diphtheria vaccines. After the donation of a 157 acre farm by distiller William Gooderham, the Connaught Labs were established at this site. They were named after the then Governor-General, the Duke of Connaught.

With the discovery of insulin by Banting and Best, the lab went into the production of the drug in 1922. In 1954, with the advent of the polio vaccine the facility was again expanded.

In 1972, the enterprise was sold by the University to the Canadian Development Corporation which reduced the number of employees to 750 and made the company profitable again. From 1989, the company was owned by Pasture Mérieux Serums et Vaccins a subsidiary of Rhone Poulene of France, until its acquisition by Sanofi Pasteur in 2004. It presently employs approximately 1,100 people.



www.sanofipasteur.com/
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Coordinates:   43°47'5"N   79°27'45"W

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  • give back the park lands
This article was last modified 13 years ago