Sanofi has named Hugo Fry as general manager for the UK and general manager Sanofi Pasteur for the UK & Ireland, and Dr Hubert Bland as UK medical chair and medical head of diabetes and cardiovascular for the UK & Ireland.

Fry was previously chief marketing officer for the vaccines group Sanofi Pasteur MSD (now disbanded) and has amassed over 20 years' experience in the pharmaceutical industry through various global and regional management, commercial and strategic roles, bringing "a wealth of experience in commercial leadership, and delivering growth and driving performance in healthcare", according to the firm.

Commenting on his appointment, Fry said: "I am proud and motivated to lead our more than 1,800 UK colleagues, who continuously demonstrate their commitment to serving the people whose lives we touch. Our ambition in the UK is to be a partner in improving the nation's health. We are dedicated to leveraging the unique diversity of our portfolio and strength of our pipeline to empower people to live life to the fullest."

Dr Bland joins Sanofi from TMC Pharma, where he was vice president of Medical since 2013, previously having held medical leadership positions at Pfizer, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Linde and the University of Surrey's Clinical Research Centre.

He maintains his licence to practise medicine and is currently an educational supervisor and Member of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Physicians.

"The UK healthcare system is under constant pressure therefore the demand for new and effective treatments, services and solutions is ever-increasing. An effective medical function within Sanofi is vital to ensure we are there for people in the moments that matter," he said. "I am committed to leading a team that functions at the highest level of quality standards and adds significant value to healthcare professionals and other relevant stakeholders on behalf of Sanofi in the UK".

The new appointments follow the dismantling of the Sanofi Pasteur MSD vaccines joint venture on January 1 this year, ending a collaboration that has spanned more than two decades.

Both partners have integrated their respective European vaccine businesses back into their operations, enabling them to independently manage their own product portfolios.