Notes from BIO: BIO, Meet Sanofi; Sanofi, Meet BIO

Sanofi-Aventis, which now calls itself a US and European company, is searching aggressively for partners, according to remarks made at a press conference on Tuesday.

“The message we want to pass on at this BIO conference is we are partnering more and we wish to do more,” said Jean-Claude Muller. Muller is VP for R&D, prospective and strategic initiatives in CEO Chris Viehbacher’s plan to grow the proportion of Sanofi’s business that comes from external relationships - currently at 27 percent. The announcement was a first for Sanofi at BIO.

“Our key message is the proportion [of business] will grow through partnering because value comes from partnerships,” Muller said. With a partnering word cloud like this (see pic) it's hard to argue isn't it?

Muller and Philippe Goupit, who is VP for business development and corporate license, are charged by Viehbacher with reshaping the company’s R&D to make Sanofi a diversified global leader in health care. Viehbacher “is really turning the page and entering into the 21st century,” said Goupit, who also testified the CEO has pledged to spend 20 percent of his time on personally exploring new business opportunities. --Shirley Haley