STAT+: Sanofi names new R&D head as it tries to jumpstart pipeline

Sanofi appointed Paulo Fontoura as its new global head of R&D for its pharmaceutical division, effective September 1. Fontoura, a neurologist, previously served as chief medical officer at Xaira Therapeutics, an AI-focused drug discovery firm, and spent over 15 years at Roche. This move aims to revitalize Sanofi's drug pipeline under the leadership of CEO Belén Garijo. Fontoura succeeds Houman Ashrafian, who joined Sanofi in 2023 after a career in healthcare investment and has chosen to pursue opportunities elsewhere. The leadership change signals Sanofi's strategic focus on innovation and accelerating the development of new therapies.