Sanofi appoints Manuela Buxo to lead Specialty Care, continuing Dupixent-driven strategy

Sanofi names Manuela Buxo to lead Specialty Care global push

Building on Dupixent momentum: continuity at the top of Specialty Care

Sanofi appoints Manuela Buxo as Head of Specialty Care, effective March 1, 2026, replacing Brian Foard who is leaving the company on Feb. 28 after accepting an external leadership opportunity. Foard, who joined Sanofi in 2017 and most recently served on the Executive Committee as leader of the Specialty Care Global Business Unit, is credited with strengthening the unit’s global position through major product launches, notably Dupixent across multiple indications and regions.

Buxo, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, brings more than 20 years of international healthcare experience and prior leadership roles across Specialty Care in Europe and global franchise management. For over two years she has led Sanofi’s Global Immunology Alliance Franchise, driving the global expansion and commercial performance of Dupixent while overseeing worldwide strategy. Sanofi says her deep operational knowledge of the business and familiarity with key markets and medicines make her well placed to sustain momentum.

The company signals that the transition emphasizes continuity of execution and strategic priorities for Specialty Care. Olivier Charmeil, designated interim chief executive officer, thanks Foard for his leadership and expresses confidence that Buxo’s longstanding commitment to Sanofi will preserve progress, keep the organisation focused and maintain speed through the handover. Sanofi reiterates its aim to advance Specialty Care programmes during the change in leadership.

Pipeline and strategic positioning

Sanofi describes itself as an R&D‑driven, AI‑powered biopharma that applies deep immune‑system knowledge to develop medicines and vaccines from an innovative pipeline intended to address urgent global health challenges. The company frames the appointment as aligned with its purpose to "chase the miracles of science" and to deliver continued growth from specialty immunology and other franchise areas.

Operational note and media contact

The move highlights Sanofi’s succession planning at a senior commercial level as it continues global rollouts of key therapies such as Dupixent across new indications and geographies. Media enquiries are directed to Evan Berland.