Sanofi SA (EPA:SASY) announced a leadership transition on February 12, 2026, appointing Belén Garijo as its new Chief Executive Officer. The move replaces Paul Hudson, whose tenure ends February 17, 2026, following a board decision at their February 11 meeting. Olivier Charmeil, Executive Vice President of General Medicines, will serve as interim CEO until April 29, when Garijo assumes her role post-Annual General Meeting. The board will propose Garijo’s candidacy as a director at this meeting, alongside an amendment to raise the CEO age limit.

Garijo, currently CEO of Merck KGaA since 2021, brings 15 years of experience at Sanofi, including roles as Vice President of Pharmaceutical Operations for Europe and Canada. As the first woman to lead a DAX40 company, she emphasizes accelerating strategy execution, strengthening R&D innovation, and enhancing productivity. Her appointment signals Sanofi’s focus on governance rigor and long-term growth under her industry-recognized leadership.

The transition includes a 12-week overlap with Charmeil managing operations until Garijo’s official start. Hudson’s departure concludes a 13-year tenure marked by strategic initiatives, including Sanofi’s pivot toward mRNA vaccines and biopharma expansion. The board praised Hudson’s contributions while highlighting Garijo’s “undisputable reputation” to drive the company’s next growth phase.

Shareholders will vote on Garijo’s directorship and governance changes at Sanofi’s April 29 meeting. Analysts note this leadership shift aligns with Sanofi’s ambition to solidify its position in competitive pharmaceutical markets, leveraging Garijo’s expertise in scaling global operations and fostering innovation.