Another exec change at Sanofi-Aventis, as it appoints R&D chief

In a second high-profile management change in less than a week, French drug major Sanofi-Aventis (Euronext: SAN) yesterday announced the appointment of Elias Zerhouni as president, global research and development, covering medicines and vaccines, effective January 1, 2011. Dr Zerhouni will report directly to group chief executive Christopher Viehbacher and join the executive committee and the management committee.

The drugmaker also revealed that Marc Cluzel will resign as executive vice president, R&D, but will continue to work closely with Dr Zerhouni as a scientific expert.

Mr Viehbacher, who took over the helm at Sanofi-Aventis two years ago (following the ousting of the previous CEO Gerard Le Fur), is struggling to boost innovation as the company is facing patent expiration of its top-selling blood thinner Plavix (clopidogel) as well as other important drugs. The latest appointment follows the nomination last week of Olivier Charmeil as senior vice-president at Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of the group, replacing Wayne Pisano, who will retire in February 2011 (the Pharma Letter December 13).