Paris, France, February 2026 —Sanofi has appointed Belén Garijo as its new Chief Executive Officer, marking a significant leadership transition for the global biopharma company.
Garijo is expected to strengthen the execution of Sanofi’s strategic priorities and accelerate future growth, with a focused emphasis on improving productivity, enhancing governance, and driving innovation across Research & Development. Her appointment underscores Sanofi’s ambition to reinforce its position as an R&D-driven, AI-powered biopharma leader.
Prior to this appointment, Belén Garijo served as Chair of the Executive Board and CEO of Merck Group, where she made history in 2021 as the first woman to lead a DAX40-listed company in Germany. During her tenure at Merck Group, she played a critical role in advancing transformation initiatives, strengthening operational excellence, and expanding global healthcare innovation capabilities.
Earlier in her career, Garijo held multiple senior leadership roles at Sanofi, including Senior Vice President, Global Operations Region Europe, and General Manager, Spain. She also previously served as Global Vice President Oncology at Aventis, and Business Unit Director of Oncology at Rhone-Poulenc Rorer, building deep expertise in oncology and global pharmaceutical operations.
A Spanish national, Garijo began her professional journey in hospital medicine before transitioning into the pharmaceutical industry, where she worked in R&D at Abbott and went on to lead large-scale operations across Europe and the United States, including overseeing the integration of Genzyme.
Beyond her executive leadership roles, she serves on the Board of Directors of BBVA and previously served on the Board of L’Oréal for a decade, reflecting her broad governance experience across industries.
With her extensive background spanning clinical practice, research, global operations, and corporate leadership, Belén Garijo now steps into this pivotal role to lead Sanofi’s next phase of growth and innovation.
About Sanofi
Sanofi is an R&D-driven, AI-powered biopharma company committed to improving people’s lives and delivering sustainable growth. The company applies its deep understanding of the immune system to invent medicines and vaccines that treat and protect millions worldwide. Guided by its purpose to “chase the miracles of science to improve people’s lives,” Sanofi continues to address urgent healthcare, environmental, and societal challenges globally.
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