Sanofi (EURONEXT: SAN, NASDAQ: SNY) announced that Belén Garijo will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer on May 1, 2026, following shareholder approval at the company's annual general meeting on April 29, 2026.

The pharmaceutical company's shareholders approved all resolutions during the meeting, including Garijo's appointment as a board member. The board had previously decided on February 11 to name her as CEO.

Garijo brings experience as Chief Executive Officer and President of Merck, a position she held for five years after joining the company in 2011. During her tenure at Merck, she led the Healthcare business transformation, including portfolio repositioning and R&D reorganization. Previously, she served as Senior Vice President of Global Operations Europe at Sanofi-Aventis, where she managed the Genzyme integration following its acquisition.

Shareholders also approved the distribution of an ordinary annual dividend of €4.12 per share, with payment scheduled for May 7, 2026. The meeting approved social and consolidated accounts for fiscal year 2025.

The board renewed mandates for Christophe Babule and Jean-Paul Kress and welcomed Christel Heydemann, CEO of Orange, as an independent board member. The board now comprises 16 members, including two employee representatives, with 79% independence, 57% women, and eight members of foreign nationality representing 50%.

Following departures of Paul Hudson and Patrick Kron, the board appointed Frédéric Oudéa as Chairman of the Appointments, Governance and CSR Committee. Garijo was appointed to the Strategic Committee, while Heydemann joined the Appointments, Governance and CSR Committee and the Compensation Committee.