GlaxoSmithKline's Viehbacher Named New Sanofi CEO

Sanofi-Aventis has named Chris Viehbacher as new chief executive in a move to redefine the French drugmaker's strategy. The Paris-based company said in a statement that Viehbacher, 48, will take over for Gerard Le Fur, effective December 1, 2008.

Le Fur will stay on as a scientific advisor to Sanofi-Aventis' management.

Viehbacher has spent the past 20 years of his career within the GlaxoSmithKline Group, holding a variety of senior positions, most notably being the General Manager of France and later of Europe. In his last position, Viehbacher was the President of Pharmaceutical Operations in North America and a member of the Board.

In an e-mailed statement, Sanofi's board noted that the evolution of the pharmaceutical sector "requires the key players to acutely redefine their strategy". It says that R&D "must be better adapted to the new regulatory and economic constraints of the markets" and emerging markets need to be exploited.

Le Fur, 57, has been the CEO of Sanofi-Aventis since January 2007.

SOURCE: Pharmaceutical Online