Sanofi has hired Muzammil Mansuri from Gilead Sciences as its new executive vice-president for strategy and business development.

Mr Mansuri will join the company's executive committee on February 22nd 2016, taking charge of strategic planning, business development, strategic intelligence and alliance management, as well as running the Sanofi Genzyme Bio Ventures fund.

“Sanofi has appointed Muzammil Mansuri as its new executive vice-president for strategy and business development.“

He can boast more than 35 years of relevant industry experience, having begun his career in 1981 as a research scientist at Shell Research, before spending several years with Bristol-Myers in various research and development roles.

Between 2007 to 2010, he served as chairman and chief executive of CGI Pharmaceuticals, eventually taking on the role of senior vice-president for research and development strategy and corporate development at Gilead Sciences.

Olivier Brandicourt, chief executive officer of Sanofi, said: "Muz's deep understanding of business development and strategy of global biopharmaceutical organisations will allow him to contribute significantly to the overall group strategy and make him a valuable addition to Sanofi and the executive committee."