Bayer, Sanofi in executive swap as French drugmaker refocuses two global business units

Bayer announced Thursday that Stefan Oelrich, who currently heads Sanofi's global diabetes and cardiovascular business, will join the company to lead its pharmaceuticals division, replacing Dieter Weinand. Meanwhile, Sanofi said that Weinand has been appointed as head of the French drugmaker's new primary care business unit, as part of a wider overhaul of two of its global business units (GBUs).

According to Bayer, Weinand is leaving the company for "family reasons," with Oelrich taking over the role as of November 1. Oelrich initially joined Bayer in 1989, holding various positions, including vice president of pharmaceutical marketing in the US and general manager of US women's healthcare, before leaving for Sanofi in 2011. Bayer chairman Werner Wenning said Oelrich is "a proven expert with international experience who is very familiar with Bayer's Pharmaceuticals business."

Bayer also announced that Hartmut Klusik, its labour director, has received a one-year contract extension through next year. According to sources, Klusik was retained to continue to oversee an overhaul of the drugmaker's R&D operations, with first results of the review expected in October. Reports earlier this year suggested that Bayer may cut its workforce as part of the larger overhaul.

Meanwhile, Sanofi noted that the hiring of Weinand, who has served as head of Bayer's pharmaceuticals unit since 2014, comes as the company overhauls its GBUs, with the primary care unit focusing exclusively on mature markets. In addition, Sanofi will create a new unit called China and emerging markets, which will be led by Olivier Charmeil, the current head of the general medicines and emerging markets segment.

Sanofi noted that the primary care unit will combine the product portfolios of the existing diabetes and cardiovascular segment with established products, which are currently part of the general medicines and emerging markets unit. The French company noted that the new China and emerging markets unit "will focus on the unique characteristics and tremendous growth opportunities in emerging markets, particularly in China."

Commenting on the appointment of Weinand, Sanofi CEO Olivier Brandicourt said "he has a proven track record in change management and helping challenged businesses reach their full potential." The French drugmaker expects to launch the two new units next year, while its remaining GBUs, which consist of Genzyme, Sanofi Pasteur and consumer healthcare, will remain unchanged.

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