According to Sanofi CEO Christopher A. Viehbacher, China may become the second-largest market for the company within five years, prompting the drugmaker to redouble its efforts in consumer health, vaccines for influenza and other diseases, the People's Daily reported Tuesday.

    Viehbacher indicated that this year, Sanofi expects revenue of about 100 million euros ($141 million) from its consumer health business in China, adding that "we hope we can be more involved in China's health reforms and meet the needs of the people."

    Last year, the company set up a joint venture with Hangzhou Minsheng Pharmaceutical, and Sanofi's CEO said "we believe that Minsheng's 21 Super-Vita, the well-known line of vitamin products, has great brand value."
    
Despite being ranked fifth in the global over-the-counter market, Sanofi is a relative newcomer to China's consumer health market, meaning that mergers and acquisitions will be an important strategy, according to Thomas Kelly, senior vice-president of the drugmaker's Asian business.
    "
We are just tapping into the OTC market, so collaborating with established brands and excellent products that have wide distribution channels is a very efficient way for us to compete. We will continue to look for other good opportunities for collaboration or acquisitions," Kelly added.

    "However, we are in no hurry to do that, because we have our own line of consumer health products, which is expected to be launched in China this year," Kelly noted.

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