PARIS (AP) -- Sanofi-Aventis has named Chris Viehbacher as new chief executive in a move to redefine the French drugmaker's strategy.
Paris-based Sanofi-Aventis said in a statement Wednesday that Viehbacher, 48, takes over from Gerard Le Fur, effective Dec. 1.
Viehbacher was an executive at Sanofi rival GlaxoSmithKline.
Le Fur will stay on as a scientific advisor to Sanofi-Aventis' management.
The world's third-largest pharmaceutical company by prescription sales says the change comes as "the evolution of the worldwide pharmaceutical sector requires the key players to acutely redefine their strategy."
Le Fur, 57, was CEO since January 2007.