Belén Garijo
At a Glance
Date of birth
July 31, 1960
Nationality
Spanish
First elected or appointed
April 2026
Term expires
General Meeting 2030
Education and Business Experience
Appointed as Chief Executive Officer on May 1, 2026, Belén Garijo is leading Sanofi into its next phase of growth by advancing its scientific roadmap, strengthening execution, and fostering a culture of excellence. She brings deep scientific expertise and a strong track record of sustainable results at the intersection of R&D, strategy, and business model transformation.
Previously, Belén served as Chair of the Executive Board and Chief Executive Officer of Merck, holding various positions within the company since joining in 2011. Before joining Merck, she served as Senior Vice President of Global Operations Europe at Sanofi-Aventis, where she led the integration of Genzyme following its acquisition. She has also held several leadership positions in R&D and commercial development within the healthcare sector.
Belén is a physician specializing in clinical pharmacology. She began her career as a practicing physician at La Paz Hospital in Madrid, Spain.
Directorships & Appointments
Inside the Sanofi Group
Director
Member of the Strategy Committee
Outside the Sanofi Group*
BBVA: Director of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria