Sanofi replaces CEO Paul Hudson with Merck KGaA head Belen Garijo
Sanofi ousted CEO Paul Hudson today after a stalled turnaround. The drugmaker named Merck KGaA head Belen Garijo as its first female leader in late April.
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Sanofi has removed Chief Executive Officer Paul Hudson and named Belén Garijo as his successor, the company announced today, February 12, 2026. Garijo, who currently leads Merck KGaA in Germany 
DE, is scheduled to formally take the helm following the group's shareholder meeting on April 29. The decision by the board, which includes Frederic Oudea, comes two months before Hudson’s contract was set for renewal. In the interim, Olivier Charmeil will serve as acting CEO starting February 17, the date Hudson is scheduled to step down from his position at the France 
FR based pharmaceutical giant.
DE, is scheduled to formally take the helm following the group's shareholder meeting on April 29. The decision by the board, which includes Frederic Oudea, comes two months before Hudson’s contract was set for renewal. In the interim, Olivier Charmeil will serve as acting CEO starting February 17, the date Hudson is scheduled to step down from his position at the France FR based pharmaceutical giant.
