Sanofi convened its Mixed General Meeting of Shareholders on April 29, 2026, in Paris under the chairmanship of Frédéric Oudéa. Shareholders approved all resolutions with strong support, signaling confidence in the company’s leadership and strategic direction.
Belén Garijo Appointed as CEO
The meeting confirmed the appointment of Belén Garijo as a member of the Board of Directors. Consequently, she will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer on May 1, 2026, in line with the Board’s earlier decision in February.
Frédéric Oudéa emphasized her leadership qualities and extensive experience. He noted that she combines scientific expertise with operational excellence and has consistently delivered results in global environments. He also highlighted her ability to connect research, strategy, and business transformation. According to him, her leadership will help strengthen execution discipline, improve capital allocation, and convert scientific innovation into sustained performance.
Strategic Vision for the Future
Furthermore, Oudéa stressed that Garijo’s clear decision-making approach and consistent execution will play a crucial role in accelerating Sanofi’s transformation. He added that her leadership will support long-term value creation for patients, employees, shareholders, and other stakeholders.
Dividend Approval and Financial Decisions
The General Meeting approved the company’s social and consolidated accounts for the 2025 fiscal year. Additionally, shareholders agreed to distribute an annual dividend of €4.12 per share. The company will issue the dividend payment on May 7, 2026.
Board Changes and New Appointments
The meeting also renewed the board mandates of Christophe Babule and Jean-Paul Kress. At the same time, the Board welcomed Christel Heydemann, CEO of Orange, as an independent board member. She brings valuable expertise in digital transformation and artificial intelligence.
Board Composition and Governance
The Board of Directors now includes 16 members, including two employee representatives. Notably, it maintains a high independence rate of 79%. Moreover, women represent 57% of the board, while foreign nationals account for 50%, reflecting strong diversity and international representation.
Committee Restructuring
Following the departures of Paul Hudson and Patrick Kron, the Board implemented several governance changes. It appointed Frédéric Oudéa as Chairman of the Appointments, Governance and CSR Committee. Meanwhile, Belén Garijo joined the Strategic Committee. Additionally, Christel Heydemann became a member of both the Appointments, Governance and CSR Committee and the Compensation Committee.
Leadership Background: Belén Garijo
Belén Garijo previously served as CEO and President of Merck Group for five years. During her tenure, she led a major transformation of its healthcare business by repositioning the portfolio, reorganizing R&D, and realigning the commercial model. As a result, the company strengthened its presence in oncology and immunology.
Earlier in her career, she worked at Sanofi-Aventis as Senior Vice President of Global Operations Europe, where she oversaw the integration of Genzyme after its acquisition. She has also held multiple leadership roles across the healthcare sector.
A trained physician specializing in clinical pharmacology, Garijo began her career at La Paz Hospital in Madrid.
