Sanofi to refocus two global business units

The new Primary Care and China & Emerging Markets global business units are expected to launch at the beginning of 2019.

The company will create a new Primary Care GBU that combines the product portfolios of Sanofi's existing Diabetes and Cardiovascular (DCV) GBU with Established Products, which are currently part of the General Medicines & Emerging Markets (GEM) GBU. The new Primary Care unit will focus exclusively on mature markets.

To help build and lead the new Primary Care business, Sanofi is appointing Dieter Weinand as Executive Vice President. Effective 1 November, Mr Weinand will report directly to Sanofi CEO Olivier Brandicourt and become a member of the Executive Committee. He will be based in the Bridgewater, New Jersey, USA. Stefan Oelrich, currently head of the DCV GBU, has decided to leave Sanofi and will join Bayer as a member of the Board of Management and head of the Pharmaceuticals division, replacing Mr. Weinand effective November 1st.

"Dieter is a seasoned professional with significant experience in the pharmaceutical sector, having successfully launched and marketed some of the most innovative medicines in the last few years. He has a proven track record in change management and helping challenged businesses reach their full potential," said Dr Brandicourt. "As we welcome Dieter into the organization, I would like to thank Stefan for his excellent contributions to Sanofi over the years and wish him all the best in his next endeavour."

Sanofi is creating a second new GBU called China & Emerging Markets to be led by Olivier Charmeil, currently head of the GEM GBU. This newly formed business will focus on the unique characteristics and tremendous growth opportunities in emerging markets, particularly in China, which is Sanofi's second largest market after the US. Mr Charmeil will continue to be a member of the Executive Committee reporting directly to Dr Brandicourt.

Sanofi expects to launch the new Primary Care and China & Emerging Markets global business units by the beginning of 2019. Sanofi's other GBUs - Sanofi Genzyme, Sanofi Pasteur and Consumer Healthcare - remain unchanged.