Sanofi announces the appointment of Dr. Yong-Jun Liu as Head of Research, Global R&D

PARIS, 31-Mar-2016 — /EuropaWire/ — Sanofi announced today the appointment of Dr. Yong-Jun Liu as Head of Research, Global R&D, effective April 1, 2016. He will report to Dr. Elias Zerhouni, President, Global R&D.

Dr. Liu is one of the world’s most prolific researchers in immunology, with over 94,000 citations (Google Scholar) and more than 250 published articles in top journals such as Nature and Science. His research has led to the development of several key drug targets in the areas of allergy, immunology and oncology. Dr. Liu received his doctor of medicine degree in 1984 from Norman Bethune University School of Medicine in China, and earned his doctorate in immunology in 1989 at the University of Birmingham in the U.K.

Dr. Liu will be responsible for leading all of Sanofi’s research with the goal of delivering innovative and high-value medicines for patients. He will work in collaboration with Sanofi’s Senior Leadership Team to build a competitive R&D organization that leverages the best expertise, both internally and externally.

“Sanofi is delivering major therapeutic advances to patients, but in an increasingly competitive landscape it is excellence in science that will shape the medicines of tomorrow. I have great confidence that Yong-Jun will position Sanofi on the leading edge of scientific breakthroughs and drug discovery in the years ahead,” said Dr. Olivier Brandicourt, Chief Executive Officer, Sanofi.

“Yong-Jun will play a pivotal role in shaping a visionary R&D strategy for Sanofi and rejuvenating the company’s early-stage pipeline,” said Dr. Elias Zerhouni, President, Global R&D, Sanofi. “His world-class experience in immunology, oncology and translational medicine will be vital assets as Sanofi sets its sights on scientific excellence and innovation across its therapeutic areas. I am delighted to welcome Yong-Jun to the Sanofi family.”

Dr. Liu has 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry and at leading medical research centers. From 1991 to 1997, he was a Senior and then Principal Scientist at Schering-Plough’s Laboratory for Immunological Research. Dr. Liu held a Principal Staff Scientist position at the DNAX Research Institute in California until 2002, when he became the founding director of the Cancer Immunology Research Institute at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. At MD Anderson, he also served as the Chair of the Department of Immunology, building the leading immunology program in the U.S. In 2011, Dr. Liu joined the Baylor Research Institute as Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer, and Director of the Baylor Institute for Immunology Research. He was appointed Head of Research at MedImmune in January, 2014.

About Sanofi
Sanofi, a global healthcare leader, discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions focused on patients’ needs. Sanofi has core strengths in diabetes solutions, human vaccines, innovative drugs, consumer healthcare, emerging markets, animal health and Genzyme. Sanofi is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York (NYSE: SNY).

Sanofi Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. These statements include projections and estimates and their underlying assumptions, statements regarding plans, objectives, intentions and expectations with respect to future financial results, events, operations, services, product development and potential, and statements regarding future performance. Forward-looking statements are generally identified by the words “expects”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “intends”, “estimates”, “plans” and similar expressions. Although Sanofi’s management believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, investors are cautioned that forward-looking information and statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of Sanofi, that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements. These risks and uncertainties include among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, future clinical data and analysis, including post marketing, decisions by regulatory authorities, such as the FDA or the EMA, regarding whether and when to approve any drug, device or biological application that may be filed for any such product candidates as well as their decisions regarding labelling and other matters that could affect the availability or commercial potential of such product candidates, the absence of guarantee that the product candidates if approved will be commercially successful, the future approval and commercial success of therapeutic alternatives, the Group’s ability to benefit from external growth opportunities, trends in exchange rates and prevailing interest rates, the impact of cost containment initiatives and subsequent changes thereto, the average number of shares outstanding as well as those discussed or identified in the public filings with the SEC and the AMF made by Sanofi, including those listed under “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in Sanofi’s annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2015. Other than as required by applicable law, Sanofi does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information or statements.

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