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Sanofi Names Merck’s Belén Garijo Chief Executive After April Vote

Investor pressure over trial setbacks, a looming Dupixent gap, vaccines headwinds set the stage for the shake-up.

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Der Chef des französischen Pharma-Konzerns Sanofi, Paul Hudson, muss überraschend gehen. Der Aufsichtsrat verlängerte den Vertrag mit dem Briten am Donnerstag nicht, kommende Woche scheidet er damit aus.
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Overview

  • Paul Hudson will leave Sanofi on February 17, with board member Olivier Charmeil serving as interim chief until Garijo takes over after the April 29 AGM.
  • Sanofi confirmed Garijo’s appointment as CEO effective following the shareholder meeting, ending Hudson’s tenure that began in 2019.
  • Garijo has led Merck since 2021, previously spent about 15 years at Sanofi, and executed portfolio moves including the SpringWorks Therapeutics deal.
  • Merck’s succession proceeds as planned, with electronics division head Kai Beckmann set to become CEO on May 1, 2026.
  • Sanofi shares fell nearly 6% after the announcement as investors weighed the company’s clinical setbacks, pressure to replace Dupixent revenue, and scrutiny of Garijo’s R&D record, which Jefferies analysts defended.