The leadership change follows a board meeting on Feb. 11, where directors opted to move in a new direction. Paul Hudson is scheduled to step down from his position on Feb. 17, ending a tenure focused on pivoting the company toward high-growth immunology and vaccine sectors. To bridge the gap until the spring transition, Olivier Charmeil, Sanofi's executive vice president of general medicines, will serve as interim CEO.

A Strategic Homecoming

Belen Garijo returns to Sanofi after a successful tenure at Germany’s Merck KGaA, where she has served as CEO since 2021. Her deep institutional knowledge stems from 15 years previously spent at Sanofi, including roles as vice president of pharmaceutical operations for Europe and Canada and a seat on the executive committee. The board expects her familiarity with the group's internal mechanics to streamline the implementation of its current roadmap.

In an official statement, Sanofi emphasized that Garijo is expected to bring "increased rigor" to the group’s operations. The move signals a desire for more disciplined execution as the drugmaker prepares for its next phase of growth. Garijo will officially assume her duties at the conclusion of the company’s annual general meeting on April 29.