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Press Release
May 4, 2026
Sanofi expands global AI centre of excellence, scaling operations at its Toronto digital hub
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Ontario’s AI leadership drives global expansion, creating 50 additional high-skilled jobs.
TORONTO, Ontario, May 4, 2026 – Sanofi is expanding its global Artificial Intelligence (AI) Centre of Excellence in Toronto, reinforcing Ontario’s position as a world leader in AI, and demonstrating a long-term commitment to the growth of the digital hub for Sanofi’s global operations, developing and manufacturing medicines and vaccines.
The $294 million expansion is expected to create 50 new high-skilled jobs in artificial intelligence and machine learning, building on the over 150 roles in cloud computing, data engineering, software development, bioinformatics, and pharmaceutical data science created since 2022. These new roles will lead the design and deployment of advanced AI tools used throughout Sanofi’s global research, manufacturing and business operations, while also accelerating growth in Ontario’s digital workforce.
After a comprehensive international review, the company selected Toronto to anchor this expanded capability, drawing on Ontario’s strong AI talent pool, advanced digital infrastructure and globally connected life sciences ecosystem. Since launching its AI Centre of Excellence in Ontario in 2022, Sanofi has continued to invest in and scale its team in Toronto, enabling the deployment of AI across all business functions as a key driver of its global strategy.
Through this expansion, Sanofi is extending new global AI mandates and long-term leadership roles to Ontario, underscoring growing international confidence in Ontario’s ability to support complex, large-scale innovation within global organizations.
Invest Ontario is supporting Sanofi’s expansion with a conditional grant of up to $5 million from the Invest Ontario Fund and worked closely with Sanofi to deliver business intelligence, and showcase Ontario’s competitive strengths to the company’s global leadership team.
Sanofi’s investment is a testament to Ontario’s leadership in the AI and life sciences sectors, reinforcing our reputation as the best place to innovate, scale, and succeed. We look forward to seeing Sanofi continue to grow in the province, creating good-paying jobs for our workers and producing essential medicines and vaccines for Canada and the world.
Hon. Vic Fedeli
Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade
Today’s announcement reinforces Sanofi’s long-term commitment to investing in and growing the AI talent pipeline in Toronto and strengthening Ontario’s position as a strategic hub for innovation. As the first AI-powered, R&D driven biopharma, Sanofi is focused on getting life-changing medicines to patients faster than ever before, and we are grateful for the partnership with the Province of Ontario in driving this innovation.
Dimitrije Jankovic
Sanofi’s Global Head of Digital Strategy and Operations
Sanofi’s decision to expand its global AI Centre of Excellence in Toronto is a strong endorsement of Ontario’s leadership in artificial intelligence and digital innovation. Ontario offers a rare combination of world-class AI talent, advanced digital infrastructure, and deep life sciences expertise. We are proud to support Sanofi as it brings global AI leadership roles to the province and creates high-skilled jobs that strengthen Ontario’s position as a hub for enterprise-scale innovation.
Khawar Nasim
CEO, Invest Ontario
For more information about Invest Ontario, please visit www.investontario.ca.
About Invest Ontario
Invest Ontario is the dedicated agency for investment attraction in the province. We serve as global businesses’ partner and one-window access to Ontario, providing expertise and tailored services throughout their investment journey. With a focus on the advanced manufacturing, life sciences and technology sectors, we are committed to securing strategic investments that create jobs, generate returns to the province and drive Ontario’s long-term economic growth and global competitiveness.
About Sanofi
Sanofi is an R&D driven, AI-powered biopharma company committed to improving people’s lives and delivering compelling growth. Sanofi applies their deep understanding of the immune system to invent medicines and vaccines that treat and protect millions of people around the world, with an innovative pipeline that could benefit millions more. The largest biopharma manufacturer in the country, Sanofi employees more than 2,000 people in Canada, investing 20% of annual revenue in biopharma research, and will deliver over $2 billion in new infrastructure investments by 2028. Sanofi is committed to the community and is working with partners to foster a long-term sustainable ecosystem and build a healthier Canada.
Questions and Answers
Sanofi’s Global Head of Digital Strategy and Operations, Dimitrije Jankovic offered additional insight into the investment:
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Can you describe the situation Sanofi was facing when you first connected with Invest Ontario?
Sanofi has been rapidly expanding our AI capabilities, and we reached an inflection point. We reached out for external support to capitalize on this momentum. Hiring 50+ specialized roles would not be as smooth without a partnership with Invest Ontario, that provided support necessary to expand our AI Centre of Excellence in Toronto.
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What's the most important thing about this expansion?
This expansion will create career opportunities at Sanofi that AI professionals won't find elsewhere. Here they will work on AI applications that directly impact patient lives with the resources of a global biopharma leader. We're offering the scale, and purpose that most companies can't provide. It demonstrates Sanofi's long-term commitment to Ontario as a global hub for life sciences innovation in AI.
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How did the Ontario ecosystem help and who are you looking forward to working with?
Ontario's AI ecosystem offers unparalleled opportunities for collaboration across industry partners, talent networks, and academia. We're looking to connect with organizations across the ecosystem to build partnerships that strengthen Ontario's position as a global AI hub. This collaborative approach allows us to support Ontario's AI ecosystem through our contributions through our biopharma expertise to advance innovation across sectors.
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What are you most excited about this project?
The most exciting aspect of this expansion is the opportunity to build AI capabilities that directly accelerate how medicines reach patients - through initiatives ranging from automating regulatory documentation to deploying conversational AI in clinical trials to real-time pharmacovigilance. This expansion creates opportunities for professionals to tackle problems at a scale and complexity that drives meaningful impact across the Ontario's Biopharma AI ecosystem.
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What would you say to other companies considering expanding or staying in Ontario?
Toronto is at the intersection of North American markets and world-class AI expertise that's ready to tackle complex challenges. Ontario's collaborative ecosystem means companies, academia, and government work together in ways that are rare globally, creating opportunities for meaningful partnerships. For any company looking to scale in AI innovation, Ontario offers the geographic advantage, talent depth, and collaborative spirit that makes breakthrough work possible.
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Media Contacts
Stephen Chiang
Director, Communications, Invest Ontario
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