Paul Hudson Couldn’t Quite Get Sanofi over the Hump; PROTAC Developer Arvinas Appoints CEO

Why It Matters

Sanofi’s R&D woes highlight the limits of acquisition‑driven growth in big pharma, while Arvinas’ CEO hire underscores the rising commercial relevance of targeted protein degradation.

Key Takeaways

• Sanofi’s R&D pipeline remains below expectations
• Recent acquisitions haven’t accelerated innovation
• Paul Hudson faces pressure to deliver results
• Arvinas appoints seasoned biotech executive
• PROTACs gaining traction as therapeutic modality

Pulse Analysis

Sanofi’s recent history illustrates the challenges large pharmaceutical companies face when relying on mergers and acquisitions to spark innovation. Since Paul Hudson took the helm in 2019, the firm has pursued a series of buyouts aimed at bolstering its research pipeline, yet the expected surge in novel candidates has not materialized. Analysts point to integration hurdles, cultural mismatches, and the difficulty of translating external assets into internal breakthroughs as key factors dampening the anticipated R&D uplift.

The appointment of a new chief executive at Arvinas marks a pivotal moment for the company and the broader protein‑degradation sector. The incoming leader, a veteran of biotech scaling and regulatory navigation, is tasked with moving several late‑stage PROTAC programs toward market approval. By strengthening operational discipline and deepening partnerships with larger pharma partners, Arvinas aims to convert its scientific edge into commercial revenue, positioning itself as a go‑to partner for next‑generation therapeutics.

These developments signal a broader industry shift. While legacy pharma giants like Sanofi grapple with the limits of acquisition‑centric strategies, nimble biotech firms are leveraging cutting‑edge modalities such as PROTACs to attract investment and strategic alliances. Investors are watching closely to see whether focused leadership can unlock value in high‑risk, high‑reward platforms, and whether big pharma will recalibrate its R&D playbook toward organic innovation or continue to chase external pipelines.