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Chattem changes name to Sanofi to align local business with global operations

Chattem's longtime offices in St. Elmo are sporting the new Sanofi name. Paris, France-based Sanofi purchased Chattem in 2010. (Staff photo by Mike Pare) Chattem's longtime offices in St. Elmo are sporting the new Sanofi name. Paris, France-based Sanofi purchased Chattem in 2010. (Staff photo by Mike Pare)

By Mike Pare August 27, 2017 4 min read

Name changes

1879Chattanooga Medicine Co. founded1966 Chattem Drug & Chemical Co.1978 Chattem Inc.2017 Sanofi’s Chattanooga campus

The name is changing, but one of Chattanooga’s longest-running companies will keep its roots in the city.

Chattem, known for such popular brands as Allegra, Gold Bond and Icy Hot, is phasing out the name it has used since 1966 in favor of that of parent Sanofi.

Robert Long, head of North America consumer health care for Sanofi, says the business that traces its start to nearly 140 years ago as Chattanooga Medicine Co., plans to continue to invest and grow in the Scenic City.

“It doesn’t mean any job relocations to other areas in the U.S.,” Long said about the name change. “We are the focus for Sanofi in the consumer health care business unit. There’s alignment. There’s focus on additional growth and, frankly, more opportunity.”