Sanofi names Paulo Fontoura as its new R&D head

Andrew covers the biopharma industry, scientific research, and public health across the continent. You can reach Andrew confidentially on Signal at drewqjoseph.71.

LONDON — Sanofi on Monday named a new leader for its research and development efforts, as the French pharma company looks to reinvigorate its pipeline under new CEO Belén Garijo. 

Paulo Fontoura will become global head of R&D for Sanofi’s pharma work starting Sept. 1. A neurologist by training, Fontoura was most recently the chief medical officer at Xaira Therapeutics, an AI-focused drug discovery company. He previously spent more than 15 years at Roche. 

Fontoura is replacing Houman Ashrafian, who joined Sanofi in 2023 following years as a health care investor. Sanofi said Ashrafian “has decided to pursue an opportunity outside the company.”