LONDON, U.K.: French drugmaker Sanofi has abruptly removed Chief Executive Paul Hudson, signaling mounting investor pressure over sluggish vaccine sales and a faltering turnaround strategy.

Hudson will step down on February 17, the company said on February 12, just two months before his tenure was set to renew. Sanofi named Belén Garijo, currently head of Germany's Merck KGaA, as its next CEO. She will formally take over at the end of the company's shareholder meeting on April 29. Board member Olivier Charmeil will serve as acting CEO during the transition.

Hudson, who became CEO in 2019 with a mandate to revive Sanofi's drug pipeline and boost its share price, did not respond to a request for comment.

Sanofi, one of the world's largest vaccine makers, issued several underwhelming clinical trial updates last year and pursued bolt-on acquisitions in search of new growth drivers. The company is seeking medicines that can offset future revenue losses as its blockbuster asthma and eczema drug, Dupixent, begins to lose key patents in the early 2030s.

Despite efforts to diversify, Hudson struggled to reduce Sanofi's reliance on Dupixent, which remains a major contributor to overall sales. Investor frustration has grown as competitors outperformed the French group.

Since Hudson took over in September 2019, shareholders have seen a 33 percent total return, including dividends, according to LSEG data. That trails UK-based rivals AstraZeneca and GSK, which delivered returns of 133 percent and 65 percent respectively over the same period.

Sanofi said in late January that vaccine sales would be "slightly negative" this year, citing U.S. policy changes under President Donald Trump. Sales of the vaccine unit, which includes flu shots and RSV therapy Beyfortus, are expected to decline slightly in 2026.

In announcing Garijo's appointment, Sanofi Chairman Frederic Oudea said, "She has the experience and profile to accelerate the pace, strengthen the quality of execution of strategy and lead the next growth cycle of the company."

Garijo previously spent 15 years at Sanofi and has also served as a board member at L'Oreal.

JPMorgan analysts said Garijo is expected to impose greater discipline and accelerate preparations for Sanofi's future beyond Dupixent, particularly by improving research and development productivity.

In January, Hudson had indicated that 2026 would be a favorable time for dealmaking, after Sanofi forecast high-single-digit overall sales growth this year despite a projected decline in vaccine sales linked to vaccine skepticism in the United States.

The leadership change underscores the challenges facing Sanofi as it navigates weaker vaccine demand and prepares for a post-Dupixent era under new management.