Sanofi names new chief strategy officer

Sanofi has announced that Dr David-Alexandre Gros is to become its new chief strategy officer on September 1st 2011.

In his new position, Dr Gros will be responsible for determining the company's approach in terms of business development and acquisition activities, strategic planning, economic evaluation of projects and alliance management.

He joins the company from his previous role as a principal and founding member of the Healthcare Investment Banking division at Centerview Partners, where he acted as an advisor to biopharmaceutical and diagnostic companies.

The appointment will see him reporting to chief executive officer Christopher Viehbacher and joining Sanofi's group executive committee.

Mr Viehbacher said: "He will be able to contribute significantly to the development and implementation of Sanofi's strategy and transformation."

Earlier this week, the company reported its financial results for the second quarter of 2011, during which it saw a 6.9 percent rise in sales, driven by its recent acquisition of Genzyme.