New Sanofi R&D centre: agap2 engineering partner
What if innovation in healthcare involved high-precision engineering projects?
At its Marcy-l'Étoile site, Sanofi is carrying out a strategic project: the construction of a new research and development centre, the XL building, incorporating the latest technologies in terms of digitalisation, energy efficiency and scientific excellence.
To meet this challenge, Sanofi has chosen to surround itself with expert partners, in particular agap2, a engineering and digital services consultancy firm specialising in high-impact sectors, including Life Sciences.
A partnership at the heart of the transformation
The XL building is part of Sanofi’s strategic project at Marcy-l’Étoile to build an ultra-modern R&D centre, dedicated in particular to messenger RNA vaccines, with more than 5,600 m² of state-of-the-art laboratories.
As part of the VDL programme, agap2 is involved in key areas of expertise:
- In project management to ensure the planning, coordination and smooth flow of exchanges between stakeholders;
- In design and execution engineering to guarantee the technical compliance of installations;
- In commissioning, qualification and validation (CQV) to ensure successful commissioning of critical equipment and utilities.
For Mickaël Maunoir, engineering project manager at Sanofi, the choice of agap2 was a natural one:
”We chose to partner with agap2 because of the skills they could offer Sanofi in the execution of an engineering project.”
This testimonial reflects the confidence placed in the agap2 teams in a demanding context, where technical expertise, rigour and the ability to work closely with in-house teams are essential to the success of the project. This partnership is fully in line with Sanofi’s strategy of surrounding itself with reliable and agile stakeholders to accelerate innovation in healthcare.
A team of agap2 consultants involved in the field
At the heart of the XL project, three agap2 consultants contribute their expertise on a daily basis. Their assignment? Support the commissioning of the new building, in compliance with the most demanding technical, regulatory and health standards.
Benoît - Production tools manager
On assignment at Sanofi for the last year and a half, Benoît is responsible for receiving, transferring and installing new equipment from various departments. He rigorously coordinates each stage, right up to the final qualification of the machines in the new XL building. He plays a central role in guaranteeing smooth, safe commissioning.
”I’m in charge of transferring the new equipment of the various departments that will be moving into the new building. I take delivery of them and transfer them to installation and qualification.”
Mathieu - Business Manager
Mathieu is involved at two levels: connecting the purified water loop, an essential infrastructure for the operation of the laboratories, and then qualifying the installations. His assignment contributes directly to the building’s compliance with pharmaceutical industry quality standards.
”I was involved in two projects: connecting the purification site loop to the Excel building, and qualifying and completing the work on the purified water.”
Baptiste - CNQ (Commissioning & Qualification) Manager
Specialising in equipment validation, Baptiste carries out performance tests before and after the move, and leads the development of hydrogen peroxide decontamination cycles. A key step in ensuring the sterility of critical environments and complying with biosafety requirements.
”I’m in charge of carrying out tests before and after moving existing equipment into the new building. And also the development and qualification of the hydrogen peroxide decontamination cycles.”
A technical assignment, human support
In addition to our technical contribution, we provide support to all our consultants. Each assignment is closely monitored, with particular attention paid to the human being. We are in constant contact with our teams on the ground through project progress reports, events and regular team lunches.
This personalised support is an integral part of our DNA.
“We also have meetings at the agency, workshops and ‘Last santé’. We can always talk to our management team.”
An emblematic Life Sciences project
The partnership with Sanofi on the XL building illustrates agap2’s ambition in the strategic sectors of health and pharmaceutical research. This ambitious project demands constant responsiveness, cutting-edge expertise and the ability to work in complex, ultra-regulated environments.
With consultants present throughout the project life cycle - from sizing to qualification - agap2 demonstrates its ability to be a benchmark partner for major pharmaceutical groups, capable of adapting, anticipating and building concrete solutions.
Want to find out more about our Life Sciences expertise? Find out about our areas of expertise in Life Sciences!
