Belén Garijo (born 31 July 1960) is a Spanish business executive and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sanofi, since May 1st, 2026.
Early life Garijo was born on 31 July 1960 in Almansa, Spain. She graduated from the University of Alcalá in 1983 with a degree in medicine.
Career Early beginnings Garijo was a physician at Hospital Universitario La Paz.
In 2003, Garijo became managing director of Aventis Spain, leading the merger with Sanofi. Over the course of 15 years at Sanofi, she was vice president of pharmaceutical operations for Europe and Canada and a member of the executive committee.Alessandro Parodi, Bhanvi Satija, Maggie Fick and Patricia Weiss (12 February 2026), Who is Sanofi's new CEO Belén Garijo? Reuters.
Merck, 2011–2026 In 2011, Garijo became chief operating officer of Merck Group, until being promoted to president in 2013 and elected a board member in 2015. In May 2021, she was named chief executive officer of Merck, following Stefan Oschmann. At the time, she was the first woman to head a company listed in Germany's stock market index DAX; she also became one of the top earners among the executives of DAX companies.Bhanvi Satija and Maggie Fick (13 February 2026), Sanofi's new CEO needs to fix drug pipeline and navigate Trump Reuters.
As Merck CEO, Garijo oversaw strategic acquisitions such as biopharmaceutical company SpringWorks Therapeutics and portfolio divestitures.Alessandro Parodi, Bhanvi Satija, Maggie Fick and Patricia Weiss (12 February 2026), Who is Sanofi's new CEO Belén Garijo? Reuters. Also in her capacity as CEO, she accompanied Chancellor Olaf Scholz on state visits to China in 2022Maren Jensen and Sina Osterholt (3 November 2022), Wer Olaf Scholz begleitet: Fliegen ein Kanzler und zwölf Manager nach China Manager Magazin. and 2024.Victoria Waldersee, Christoph Steitz, Alexander Huebner and Ludwig Burger (4 April 2024), Top German CEOs join Scholz's China trip despite 'de-risking' push Reuters.
Sanofi 2026– On February 11, 2026, it was announced Garijo will become CEO of Sanofi in late April 2026.
Other activities Corporate boards BBVA, Member of the Board of Directors (since 2012) L'Oréal, Member of the Board of Directors (2014–2024)Alessandro Parodi, Bhanvi Satija, Maggie Fick and Patricia Weiss (12 February 2026), Who is Sanofi's new CEO Belén Garijo? Reuters. Non-profit organizations European Innovation Council, Member of the Board (since 2025)Martin Greenacre (18 December 2025), Sweeping changes to EIC board as it prepares future expansion Science+Business.
Recognition Garijo has been included in the list of "World's 100 most powerful women" by Forbes in 2023 (68th rank in 2023). She was ranked 30th on Fortune list of Most Powerful Women in 2023.
Personal life Garijo is married to a urology specialist, with whom she has two daughters.
References