LAVAL, QC, April 10, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Sanofi announced today that Jon Fairest has been named President and CEO of Sanofi Canada, effective May 1.

Mr. Fairest is currently General Manager of Sanofi's Portuguese affiliate and Head of Generics for Iberia. In his new position he will succeed Hugh O'Neill, who is returning to Sanofi US to oversee projects designed to support the company's patient-focused business model.

Jon Fairest joined Sanofi in 2001 and held positions in Sales and Business Support in the U.K. before moving to Bulgaria, where he managed the affiliate's integration of Sanofi with Aventis. Next he moved to Finland, where he launched their consumer healthcare portfolio and implemented a new reimbursement and tender management system. In 2010, he was appointed to his role in Portugal, where he successfully restructured the organization to focus on growth opportunities.

Mr. Fairest will oversee the Canadian organization's ongoing transformation to a diversified healthcare solutions company, whose offerings include patented medicines, consumer health products, medical devices and the newly launched STARsystem™, a web-based platform that empowers patients to self-manage their blood glucose levels and take control of their diabetes. Mr. Fairest will report to Anne Whitaker, President, North America Pharmaceuticals.

About Sanofi
Sanofi, a global and diversified healthcare leader, discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions focused on patients' needs. Sanofi has core strengths in the field of healthcare with seven growth platforms: diabetes solutions, human vaccines, innovative drugs, rare diseases, consumer healthcare, emerging markets and animal health. Sanofi is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York (NYSE: SNY).

Sanofi is the holding company of a consolidated group of subsidiaries and operates in the United States as Sanofi US, also referred to as Sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC. For more information on Sanofi US, please visit http://www.sanofi.us or call 1-800-981-2491.

About Sanofi Canada
Sanofi companies in Canada include sanofi-aventis Canada Inc. (pharmaceuticals), Sanofi Pasteur (vaccines), Sanofi Consumer Health (health and beauty), Genzyme (rare diseases) and Merial (animal health). Together they employ more than 1,700 people, mainly in the greater Montreal and Toronto areas. In 2011 Sanofi companies invested $151.7 million in R&D in Canada, creating jobs, business and opportunity throughout the country.