Who is Sanofi's new CEO Belén Garijo?

Core Viewpoint - Sanofi has appointed Belén Garijo as its new CEO, replacing Paul Hudson, amid challenges in the vaccine market and a stalled turnaround since Hudson's leadership began in 2019 [1]. Company Overview - Belén Garijo, aged 65, has a 15-year history with Sanofi, previously serving as vice president of pharmaceutical operations for Europe and Canada and as a member of the executive committee [1]. - Garijo played a significant role in integrating Sanofi's rare diseases unit, Genzyme, in the U.S. [1]. Previous Experience - Prior to her appointment at Sanofi, Garijo was the CEO of Merck KGaA, where she managed the company through turbulent market conditions influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic and oversaw strategic acquisitions and divestitures [1]. - Her tenure at Merck KGaA was marked by a mixed track record in drug development, with the company facing several setbacks during her leadership [1]. Board Memberships - Garijo served on the board of L'Oreal from 2014 to 2024 and currently holds a position on the board of Spanish lender BBVA [1]. Market Reaction - Following the announcement of Garijo's appointment, Sanofi's shares fell nearly 3% by 08:45 GMT on the day of the news [1].