{"id":234340,"date":"2024-06-20T05:26:37","date_gmt":"2024-06-20T05:26:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/2024\/06\/20\/the-secrets-of-success-with-paul-hudson-ceo-of-sanofi-the-leader-whos-channeling-ai-to-find-the-next-pharma-wonder-drug\/"},"modified":"2025-06-25T17:16:39","modified_gmt":"2025-06-25T17:16:39","slug":"the-secrets-of-success-with-paul-hudson-ceo-of-sanofi-the-leader-whos-channeling-ai-to-find-the-next-pharma-wonder-drug","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/2024\/06\/20\/the-secrets-of-success-with-paul-hudson-ceo-of-sanofi-the-leader-whos-channeling-ai-to-find-the-next-pharma-wonder-drug\/","title":{"rendered":"The secrets of success with Paul Hudson, CEO of Sanofi, the leader who\u2019s channeling AI to find the next pharma wonder drug"},"content":{"rendered":"

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CEO Agenda provides unique insights into how leaders think and lead and what keeps them busy in a world of constant change. We look into the lives, minds and agendas of CEOs at the world\u2019s most iconic companies.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Paul Hudson, CEO of Sanofi, works in a volatile business. The pharma sector has been very profitable for many decades, and its weight in the economy has grown steadily. But for individual companies, to lend a phrase from the late Oscar winner Marie Dressler: \u201cYou\u2019re only as good as your last picture\u201d \u2013 or, in this case, your latest blockbuster drug.<\/p>\n

Hudson moreover joined Sanofi, the leading French pharmaceutical company, just before the biggest global public health crisis in a century hit us. He became CEO in June 2019. Six months later, COVID appeared in China, and a little later, all over the world. In those early days of his tenure, Sanofi was mostly missing in action. Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca and Roche all developed their vaccines or diagnostics in a few short months. Sanofi got in on the action but disappeared in the background when its COVID vaccine efforts fumbled.<\/p>\n

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64<\/p>\n

Sanofi\u2019s rank on the 2023 Fortune 500 Europe<\/a><\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n

But the world of pharma is always in flux, and so is Sanofi. In 2022 and 2023, updates on trials and regulator responses to Sanofi\u2019s new asthma treatment caused its shares to soar and fall, as did regulators\u2019 involvement in Sanofi\u2019s planned acquisitions. Today, its share price is up more than 15% compared to 5 years ago. And Hudson is patiently yet frantically building the Sanofi of tomorrow.<\/p>\n

At a Fortune<\/em> dinner in 2023, he and I discussed what AI would mean for business. He was adamant that it would be transformative; I was skeptical. As you\u2019ll read from Hudson\u2019s answers below, the British CEO has been doubling down on his AI implementation, and it\u2019s starting to pay off\u2014Sanofi today is becoming a leader in AI.\u00a0<\/p>\n

This interview has been edited for brevity.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Down to business<\/h2>\n

Fortune:<\/em> What global news item is at the top of your mind?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Paul Hudson: With the world we live in today, it\u2019s simply impossible to pick one. As is now often evoked, we are facing a \u201cpermacrisis\u201d or an extended period of instability and insecurity. As we continue to witness increased polarization around the world, it\u2019s striking to see that the global issues at stake are more interconnected than ever.<\/p>\n

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Our CEO, Paul Hudson, reflects on how we begin the year as a development-driven, science-led, tech-powered biopharma company: https:\/\/t.co\/QUoWTayzf4<\/a>
#SanofiResults<\/a> $SAN<\/a> $SNY<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/Zhv8w8UiEY<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Sanofi (@sanofi) February 1, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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What is the single most important project you are working on with your company?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

At Sanofi, we\u2019re in the midst of a company-wide modernization \u2013 everything from our science to our manufacturing to our culture. Driving much of our modernization is our ambition to be the first biopharma company powered by Artificial Intelligence at scale. That means we are fully embracing the power of AI across our value chain to harness the pace of scientific discovery, improve our productivity and place better decision intelligence in the hands of our people. Always with the goal to accelerate scientific breakthroughs so we can innovate faster for patients.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Driving much of our modernization is our ambition to be the first biopharma company powered by Artificial Intelligence at scale.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n

Which long-term trend are you most bullish about for society and the economy at large? Which one makes you most worried?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

It won\u2019t come as a surprise, but I\u2019m betting big on AI. It\u2019s here to stay and I believe if we use it responsibly and ethically, AI will bring about positive changes in our world in ways we cannot yet imagine.<\/p>\n

A trend we should all be worried about is climate change. While progress is being made, it\u2019s been incremental at best. Increased collaboration is needed, and quickly, within and across industries for a more sustainable world. A top of mind example: healthcare systems overall are responsible for 5% of all carbon emissions, with half those emissions being generated \u201cdownstream\u201d via the delivery of care to patients. It will take all of us \u2013 industry, governments, healthcare professionals, hospitals, patients \u2013 working together to find long-term solutions.<\/p>\n

\"Coffee
Paul Hudson starts every morning with a coffee.
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Stefania Pelfini, La Waziya Photography via Getty<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

If you were an economic policymaker, what would be your top priority for Europe?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Achieving health autonomy for the EU. Healthcare is a critical sector for Europe\u2019s security but one that remains underprioritized due to lack of investment. For R&D in particular, it is often related to complex regulatory hurdles, among others. Europe already has a strong foundation for health innovation in place with world leading science, a dynamic start-up ecosystem, and strong bio-clusters. What\u2019s needed now is the concerted effort of all stakeholders joined together to restore Europe as a healthcare leader and regain a competitive edge in healthcare innovation.<\/p>\n

Being productive<\/h2>\n

What time do you get up, and what part of your morning routine sets you up for the day?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I get up around 6:30\/7:00 a.m. My morning routine definitely includes coffee and checking in on my family, before I start catching up on email.<\/p>\n

What time do you work until? Do you continue sending emails during the night and\/or weekends?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

I\u2019m more of a night owl and don\u2019t mind working late. Saturdays are saved for family and personal time as much as possible, and I typically use Sundays to prep for the week ahead.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Managing
Hudson channels Manchester United\u2019s Alex Ferguson\u2019s leadership strategy and takes inspiration from his autobiography.<\/figcaption>

Amazon.co.uk<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

What apps or methods do you use to be more productive?<\/strong><\/p>\n

An app I use daily, plai, was tailor-made for Sanofi. It\u2019s like snackable AI in your pocket, giving me \u2013 and all our employees \u2013 access to billions of aggregated data points from across the organization in real time. Having that kind of insight at my fingertips means I can make better, faster decisions, and identify potential challenges or opportunities in a matter of seconds.<\/p>\n

Who is on your \u201cpersonal board\u201d?<\/strong><\/p>\n

My three children, because they keep me on my toes. Through their eyes I get a glimpse into what the future looks like for the next generation, which helps me as a leader of today. Then a good friend from university (Manchester Metropolitan University), to keep me grounded on what matters in life; a data scientist, to help me lead with insights and not bias; and a CEO from a completely different industry, for different perspectives on leadership.<\/p>\n

Getting personal<\/h2>\n

What book have you read, either recently or in the past, that has inspired you?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Alex Ferguson\u2019s Managing My Life.<\/p>\n

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Paul with his Olympic heroes: <\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n

\"Paris,
Sanofi athlete, Ezra Frech (L), Paul Hudson and athlete Dany Dann at the Charlety Stadium in Paris.<\/figcaption>

\u00a9 Bambasi \/ Courtesy of Sanofi<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\"Paul
Paul Hudson (C) and Sanofi athlete, Ellie Challis (R) at Sanofi office in Paris.<\/figcaption>

\u00a9 Fisheye \/ Courtesy of Sanofi<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

If you could ask your idol one question, who would it be, and what would you ask?<\/strong><\/p>\n

It would be Sir Alex Ferguson, the legendary coach of Manchester United who I consider a true role model for leadership. My question would relate to his incredible ability to keep everybody on the team connected and committed, not only in difficult moments, but also in winning moments and how he managed to keep standards of excellence so high and so consistently.<\/p>\n

As a consumer, what is your favorite company and why?<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s tough to pick one, but I would say Apple for their consumer-centric mindset, seamless user experience across products and capacity to drive a clear vision.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Apple
Hudson\u2019s favorite company is Apple.<\/figcaption>

Michael M. Santiago\/Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Who is your Olympic hero, present or past?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The athletes of Team Sanofi<\/a> who are about to give their all at the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Game: Val\u00e9riane Ayayi, Amandine Buchard, Ellie Challis, Dany Dann, Ezra Frech, Nantenin Keita, Yul Moldauer, Lauren Rowles. This group of inspiring individuals have joined us in our partnership with the Paris 2024 Games, promoting diversity, inclusivity, and the values shared between science and sport.<\/p>\n

CEO Agenda provides unique insights into how leaders think and lead and what keeps them busy in a world of constant change. We look into the lives, minds and agendas of CEOs at the world\u2019s most iconic companies.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n