Sanofi-Aventis announces promotions

Sanofi-Aventis has announced a number of changes in roles among its staff that have taken effect as of the start of this year. These changes follow the division of the role of chairman and chief executive officer and the appointment of Gerard Le Fur as chief executive officer of the company in December.

Marc Cluzel, a pneumologist with a PhD in biochemistry, has replaced Mr Le Fur as senior vice president of science and medical affairs. Dr Cluzel first joined Sanofi Recherche and was promoted to senior project director in 1993 and vice president of research projects management in 1996. He became vice president of international development in 2001 and was promoted to senior vice president in 2005.

“Dr Jean-Phillipe Santoni is appointed senior vice president, international development,” the company reports.

“He succeeds Marc Cluzel and will manage the development activities on a worldwide basis,” it adds.

Other appointments include the appointment of Dr Sol Rajfer as senior vice president, deputy of the senior vice president of science and medical affairs and Kazuki Tawara as vice president of scientific affairs in Japan, who will report to Dr Cluzel.

Sanofi-Aventis previously heralded this reorganisation as a “harmonious” one which would preserve the company’s strategy, vigour and corporate culture.