Dive Brief:
- Zhen Su, a Sanofi global head for the prostate cancer drug Jevtana, was instrumental in developing a marketing strategy for the therapy.
- Su's departure is the latest in a series of C-suite and high-level exits from the French pharma giant, including former CEO Chris Viehbacher's ouster seven months ago.
- There are few details on where Su will head next. But this is the latest exit not just for a major Sanofi exec, but for one involved in the company's oncology field.
Dive Insight:
Zhen Su came to Sanofi from GlaxoSmithKline in 2013. Sanofi has been undergoing a period of dynamic changes, including some high-profile departures. In addition to Chris Viehbacher, Sanofi Chief Strategy Officer David-Alexandre Gros left the company earlier this month and Tal Zaks, who was leader of the oncology division, also departed.
These departures are occurring in the context of company-wide changes, including Sanofi's plan to eliminate some positions in its oncology dvision, while also decreasing the amount of funding for oncology R&D. While there is change afoot, Bloomberg notes that many high-ranking members of management are staying the course, including Elias Zerhouni, head of R&D, as well as Chief Financial Officer, Jerome Contamine.