Sanofi is investing EUR 44 million ($58.7 million) in Genzyme’s biotechnology campus in Waterford, Ireland.

The investment will be used to increase the diversity of products manufactured at the site by adding filling operations for Sanofi’s Lantus (insulin glargine), which is one of the world’s top-selling insulin brands. Commercial production of Lantus at Waterford is expected to commence in 2016.

According to a statement, Sanofi has been very impressed with the Waterford manufacturing site since it acquired Genzyme in 2011, particularly in terms of the site’s felxibility, professionalism and commitment.

In a statement, Richard Bruton, the Irish Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, described the investment as a “major vote of confidence” in the Waterford site, which employs over 500 people, as well as Ireland’s southeast region. “This investment, which comes on top of a €150m investment little more than a year ago, will ensure that this facility can produce the company’s latest product and provides an indication of the Waterford site’s strategic value,” said Bruton.

As well as producing Lantus, the Waterford facility will also continue to produce other Genzyme products, inlcuding Myosyme, Lumizyme, Cerezyme, Thymoglobulin, Cholestagel, Renbela and Renagel.