Senior Management Statement

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Christopher VIEHBACHER Chief Executive Officer

Gilles LHERNOULD Senior Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility

“Social responsibility is part of the sanofi-aventis DNA.”

 

What new developments took place in 2009?

Christopher Viehbacher (CV): This has been a pivotal year. We set out decisively on a new course toward sustainable growth and set our sights on becoming a global, diversified leader in healthcare, focused on patients’ needs. To reach this objective, we identified three areas in which significant progress was made in 2009. First, we created a new organization to stimulate innovation in research and development. Second, we opened the Group to new external partnerships through 33 acquisitions and agreements. Lastly, we undertook the company’s transformation to develop new platforms for growth.

Gilles Lhernould (GL): The transformation is also reflected in our sustainability approach, which was adapted to meet the new challenges before us. More international in scope, with particular emphasis on what our stakeholders have to say, the sustainability approach is now integrated into the newly-created Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) function.

What is the role of the new CSR function?

CV: Our priority has always been, and will continue to be, acting in a socially and ethically responsible manner as a healthcare partner. By creating a CSR function, we are asserting our determination to place the patient at the center of our commitment. Corporate Social Responsibility is a critical part of our strategy because it not only drives our performance; it improves our performance.

GL: Our goal is to bring together, within the CSR function, all the Group’s major initiatives in the economic, social and environmental fields, access to medicines, diversity and humanitarian sponsorship. We want to rise to the challenge of supporting all sanofi-aventis entities in addressing the major CSR issues, and we want to organize cross-functional projects. For this to happen, it is important to improve awareness among all employees about Corporate Social Responsibility. This above all requires being even more attentive to our stakeholders and aiming for transparency in our approach, especially with respect to issues such as access to healthcare, product safety, counterfeit drugs, and social and ethical transformations in research. I should not overlook respect and protection of the environment as well, since they are essential for the health of communities and the planet.

Is this approach compatible with your objectives for growth and profitability?

CV: Yes, without a doubt. I am truly convinced that the CSR approach contributes to the Group’s performance: it allows us to minimize risks even further and encourages us to innovate; it gives us incentives to explore different healthcare options worldwide and turn to new therapeutic solutions that are tailored to meeting patients’ needs. In addition, the CSR approach contributes to optimizing our internal operations.

GL: From my perspective, CSR is more than a commitment; it’s an opportunity. CSR enables us to choose the most sustainable growth vectors for sanofi-aventis, generating value for the patient and for the men and women who work for the Group, and who are proud to give a sense of meaning to their jobs.