David Khougazian appointed president of Sanofi Pasteur MSD

Sanofi Pasteur MSD has appointed David Khougazian as its new president, a role he will take up on September 1, when he will succeed Dr Jean-Paul Kress at the Sanofi Pasteur - Merck  & Co venture.

Kress, who has led the company since July 2011, will then leave Sanofi Pasteur MSD to join the Sanofi group - which recently announced a major restructuring of its business.

Khougazian moves to the vaccines-focused firm from a position as Sanofi CEO chief of staff, which he held since 2011.

Prior to this he had a number of business operations positions in sales and marketing and as general manager, having joined Rhône-Poulenc (now part of Sanofi) in 1997.

Olivier Charmeil, president and CEO of Sanofi Pasteur, said: “Sanofi Pasteur MSD is a major player in the European vaccines market. David's appointment marks a new phase in our development in Western Europe; a challenging and strategic region for our vaccines activity.

“His knowledge of European markets and external stakeholders will be a strong asset to grow Sanofi Pasteur MSD's position in Europe.”