RFiD Discovery, a Paragon ID company specialising in integrated identification and location tracking solutions, has deployed a passive RFID-based inventory management system for Sanofi at two of its international research and development facilities.

The deployment has improved inventory accuracy from 75 percent to 95 percent while significantly reducing inventory-check times from nearly two hours to approximately five minutes. The solution has been implemented at Sanofi’s R&D centres in Marcy-L’Etoile, France and Waltham, Massachusetts, USA.

The RFID platform enables laboratory and supply chain teams to gain real-time visibility into critical research materials used in drug development, including bottles, tubes, pouches and liquid components. By providing accurate data on item availability, quantities and storage locations, the system has helped reduce search times and improve operational efficiency within complex research environments.

The technology is also supporting the handling of temperature-sensitive products. RFID scanning reduces the need to repeatedly open refrigerators and freezers, helping maintain product integrity while lowering the risk of materials expiring unnoticed.

Approximately 4,000 items are currently being tracked through RFID labels, with the system monitoring products throughout their lifecycle, from receipt and storage to usage and expiry management. The platform includes passive RFID labels, handheld readers, RFID printers, a mobile application for search and filtering, and a centralised software system.

Since deployment, the solution has seen rapid adoption among laboratory and supply chain teams, with 21 active users already conducting nearly 200 inventories using the platform.

Frederic Preaux, Head of Sanofi mRNA Vaccines Supply Chain, said the RFID solution has significantly strengthened traceability and stock accuracy while providing greater confidence in inventory data. He noted that RFiD Discovery’s flexibility and responsiveness were critical in adapting the system to Sanofi’s evolving operational needs.

Following the initial rollout, Sanofi plans to extend the RFID system to two additional teams, covering another 3,000 materials across sites in France and the US. The company also intends to expand the solution to GMP-regulated products, which are subject to Good Manufacturing Practice requirements, further increasing traceability and inventory efficiency for regulated materials.

Arron Duddin, General Manager at RFiD Discovery, said the project demonstrates how passive RFID technology can deliver measurable operational value in pharmaceutical research environments by improving visibility, reducing waste and enabling faster decision-making without disrupting sensitive storage conditions.