
Sanofi names MedImmune chief head of research
pharmafile | March 29, 2016 | Appointment | |
Sanofi has announced the appointment of Yong-Jun Liu as head of research at the French company.
Liu, an immunology specialist with more than 25 years industry experience, had led AstraZeneca’s MedImmune unit. He will take up his new role April 1, reporting to report to Elias Zerhouni, president of global R&D.
Zerhouni comments: “Yong-Jun will play a pivotal role in shaping a visionary R&D strategy for Sanofi and rejuvenating the company’s early-stage pipeline.”
Liu’s 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 UK.
At Sanofi, he 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 organisation 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,” says Olivier Brandicourt, chief executive of Sanofi.






