Sanofi SA will invest around 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) to build a new insulin production base in Beijing, its biggest single investment in China to date and part of a broader push to boost manufacturing capacity in Asia.

The French drugmaker said that the investment of about 1 billion euros will enhance the production and manufacturing of insulin, focusing on serving local diabetic patients.

Sanofi plans to invest around 1 billion euros ($1.05 billion) to build a new insulin production base in Beijing, which will mark the French drugmaker's largest single investment in China, the company said on Monday.

Shortly after a similarly sized venture from Pfizer, French pharma juggernaut Sanofi has unveiled a major manufacturing outlay in China, marking its biggest investment in the country to date. | Sanofi is laying out roughly 1 billion euros ($1.