Sanofi appoints new chief medical officer

Sanofi has announced the appointment of Dr Paul Chew as its new senior vice-president, chief medical officer and head of global medical affairs.

Dr Chew is the company's current chief science officer and chief medical officer for the US and will take up his new role on January 1st 2013, leveraging his extensive industry experience to aid Sanofi's efforts to uphold its standards of medical excellence.

In particular, his background as a cardiologist, diabetes expert and research and development leader will make him well suited to his new responsibilities.

He has been appointed as the successor to Jean-Pierre Lehner, who is retiring from the company after more than 20 years of dedicated service.

Christopher Viehbacher, chief executive officer at Sanofi, said: "Throughout his impressive and diversified career, Jean-Pierre has made significant and lasting contributions to improve public health and has been a key contributor to Sanofi's success."

Last month, the company announced a new collaboration with the TB Alliance, which will focus on the discovery and development of novel tuberculosis therapies.