Apr. 5—A two-story building under construction on Sanofi's Swiftwater campus allows the pharmaceutical company to expand its production of pandemic flu vaccines.

A contract between Sanofi and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) supports the development of vaccines created by using the virus' genetic instructions instead of an egg or cell-grown vaccine virus.

The goal is to expand flu preparedness and leverage recombinant, protein-based technology to deliver a pandemic vaccine.

Operations will begin in the third or fourth quarter of 2026, according to a Sanofi spokesman.

The new facility is part of three manufacturing investments made at the Swiftwater site supported by federal funds as part of a contract awarded by BARDA in December 2019 to increase domestic production capabilities for pandemic vaccines.

"This marks another significant step in our long-standing relationship with BARDA," Rakesh Kakkar, U.S. head of vaccine manufacturing and supply for Sanofi, said in a news release. "Past pandemics confirmed public-private partnerships are key to providing a relevant and quick answer to pandemic situations. Our Swiftwater site, and Sanofi teams globally, have the highest level of expertise in helping to protect people against flu and its complications."

Pocono Twp. Manager Taylor Munoz stressed Sanofi's impact on the area is felt in several ways.

"We fully support their continued plans to build out the existing site in Swiftwater and expand their operations," he said. "As the township's largest employer, they provide high-quality careers for our residents and they're an outstanding partner that continues to look for ways to give back in our local community. We believe further expansion will continue to support high-quality, family sustaining local jobs as well as meet the regional and national need in terms of the vaccines produced at the location."

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