Sanofi-Aventis Reshuffles Executive Committee; Widens Spek Role

French drugs company Sanofi-Aventis (SNY) Monday said it has reshuffled its executive committe, adding the head of its vaccines division Wayne Pisano and widening the scope of pharmaceutical operations Executive Vice President Hanspeter Spek's duties to cover global operations.

In a press release, Sanofi Chief Executive Chris Viehbacher said he has promoted Marc Cluzel from senior vice president of research and development to executive vice president of the division, citing "the strategic importance of transforming" the division.

Under Viehbacher's lead, Sanofi has been paring its R&D projects and focusing on developing partnerships with outside firms to beef up products in the development pipeline.

The company's executive committee will meet twice a month, Sanofi said in the statement.

Company Web site: www.sanofi-aventis.com

-By Mimosa Spencer, Dow Jones Newswires; +33 1 40 17 17 73; mimosa.spencer@dowjones.com