SNY Sanofi

By Ruth Bender

PARIS--Sanofi SA (SNY) Tuesday said Thierry Desmarest is stepping down from the drug maker's board of directors after taking the role of chairman of oil major Total SA (TOT).

Total's directors last approved a plan to split the roles of chairman and chief executive at the company after the sudden death of chairman and CEO Christophe de Margerie. Mr. Desmarest was named chairman and company veteran Patrick Pouyanne was appointed CEO.

Total said Mr. Desmarest is leaving after 14 years on the board "to focus on his role as chairman of Total."

Write to Ruth Bender at ruth.bender@wsj.com

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