Sanofi appoints European senior vice-president

Sanofi has appointed Peter Guenter as senior vice-president of its European operations, succeeding the departing Belen Garijo.

The current general manager of the multi-country organisation for Germany, Switzerland and Austria will step into the new role on July 15th 2011, a move that will also see him becoming part of the management committee.

Mr Guenter began his pharmaceutical industry career in a sales capacity at SmithKline in 1986, joining Sanofi in 1995 and moving through a number of positions of escalating responsibility.

His extensive experience has led to his selection as the replacement for Ms Garijo, who is leaving Sanofi to take up a global leadership role at another pharmaceutical company.

Hanspeter Spek, president of global operations at Sanofi, said: "Belen was able to drive the transformation of Sanofi in Europe over the past several years. We wish her all the best for her new professional opportunity."

Earlier this month, the company agreed a new collaboration with Medco Health Solutions and United BioSource Corporation that will allow Sanofi to utilise real-world evidence in its future product development.