Sanofi's new CEO needs to fix drug pipeline and navigate Trump

Core Viewpoint - Sanofi's new CEO, Belén Garijo, faces significant challenges in revitalizing the company's drug pipeline and addressing investor concerns, particularly regarding the reliance on the eczema treatment Dupixent, which constitutes over 30% of revenues [1] Group 1: Leadership Transition - Belén Garijo, previously CEO of Merck KGaA, will become Sanofi's first female CEO and the only woman leading a large-cap global drugmaker after GSK's Emma Walmsley stepped down [1] - Garijo's appointment follows the resignation of Paul Hudson, whose efforts to turn around Sanofi were hindered by a lack of new blockbuster drugs, leading to a 25% decline in Sanofi's stock over the past year [1] Group 2: Drug Pipeline Challenges - Sanofi's primary challenge is to replace Dupixent, as the company has not identified a successor drug ahead of patent expirations in the early 2030s, which has negatively impacted share prices [1] - Vaccine sales, which account for nearly 20% of revenues, have also declined, exacerbated by a more skeptical attitude towards vaccines from the U.S. health administration [1] Group 3: R&D and Investor Expectations - Investors and analysts emphasize the need for Garijo to enhance R&D productivity, as her previous tenure at Merck KGaA was marked by mixed results in drug development, with only three new drugs launched [1] - Garijo is recognized for her operational execution and detail-oriented approach, but there are concerns about her ability to reinvigorate Sanofi's R&D department given her stronger background in operations than in scientific research [1]