1. In Vivo
  2. >>Global Vision

Sanofi Reworks R&D To Tackle Risk, Meet Unmet Need

A newly launched grass roots campaign aimed at academics and the biotech community offers some insight into Sanofi's reinvigorated R&D organization, which is meant to be more flexible and entrepreneurial. Despite the potential upheaval caused by its recent $20.1 billion acquisition of Genzyme, Sanofi is talking up a handful of targeted areas of high unmet need and commensurately huge opportunities that are a critical part of its long-range strategy.

Ever since December 2010, when Sanofi, which recently dropped the Aventis portion of its name, announced former National Institutes of Health Director Elias Zerhouni was spearheading the French pharma's R&D initiatives, outsiders have expected major changes in how the firm will approach innovation. A newly launched grass roots campaign aimed at academics and the biotech community offers some insight into the French pharma's reinvigorated R&D organization, which is meant to be more flexible and entrepreneurial. Despite the potential upheaval caused by its recent $20.1 billion acquisition of Genzyme Corp., Sanofi is talking up a handful of targeted areas of high unmet need and commensurately huge opportunities that are a critical part of its long-range strategy. [See Deal] ( See "Sanofi/Genzyme: Emblematic of What Big Pharma's Buying Now," IN VIVO, March 2011 Also see "Sanofi/Genzyme: Emblematic of What Big Pharma's Buying Now " - In Vivo, 1 March, 2011..)

Sanofi actually announced its reworked R&D structure in June 2009, about six months after Christopher Viehbacher took over as CEO....

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on In Vivo for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required
Start Free Trial

Already a subscriber?

More from Global Vision

UK Bets On Regulatory Innovation As Competitive Advantage In Synthetic Biology

 
• By David Wild

The UK government has prioritized synthetic biology and created a "concierge service" for biotechs just as the US cuts science funding.

Chinese Firms Build Obesity Clinical Pipeline But Face Wider Hurdles

 
• By Xu Hu

Despite the ability to initiate clinical trials quickly and having strong manufacturing capacity, Chinese companies are facing multiple challenges in the obesity space.

Unpacking The Impact Of Trump’s Tariffs On Drug Pricing And Production

 
• By Ed Silverman

Big pharma plans to invest billions of dollars in US manufacturing to avoid tariffs proposed by the Trump Administration. However, the implementation of these plans may be delayed due to regulatory complexities and rising costs from tariffs, potentially impacting drug prices for consumers.

Barcelona’s S2 Xpeed Accelerates Hardware-Based Medtech Start-Ups From Prototype To Market

 
• By Marion Webb

S2 Xpeed is driving the rapid growth of medtech and hardware start-ups in Europe. Operating under a "sweat equity" model, the program helps early-stage companies move from prototype to manufacturing readiness in exchange for equity.

More from In Vivo

AI In Health Delivery: Patients Most Confident When HCPs Are In Charge

 
• By Ashley Yeo

Annual survey of patients and professionals shows how attitudes to health system transformation are evolving and what stakeholders are demanding as acceptance of AI tools accelerates.

Medtech Innovators Court London-Based Investors At BioWales 2025

 
• By Ashley Yeo

BioWales in London 2025 showcased the efforts healthtech innovators are making to meet investors on their own turf, illustrating changing attitudes and evolving needs.

Rising Leaders 2025: Metsera’s Whit Bernard’s Musical Path To Biotech Leadership

 
• By David Wild

Metsera CEO Whit Bernard applies an unconventional leadership philosophy to develop next-generation obesity therapeutics, including monthly GLP-1 injections and oral peptides.