Sanofi chief executive Viehbacher has been ousted

Sanofi’s chief executive Chris Viehbacher has been ousted, a day after admitting his future at the drugmaker was uncertain.

Viehbacher has left after six years, during which time he changed the French drugmaker’s focus to the US and restructured its research operation, causing tension with board members.

Chairman Serge Weinberg will take over Viehbacher’s responsibilities until a successor is found, the Paris-based company said in a statement on Wednesday.

“Going forward, the group needs to pursue its development with a management aligning the teams, harnessing talents and focusing on execution with a close and confident cooperation with the board,” Sanofi said.

“The board confirms its commitment to continuing the strategy and the international expansion of the group based on research and innovation and its growth platforms.’’

A day earlier, Viehbacher told Reuters that his chairman declined to clarify his future during a meeting on Monday and was unsure whether the board supported him as head of the firm.

Viehbacher confirmed reports that when he asked about his position, Weinberg dismissed the subject by saying it was "not on the agenda”.

The news comes after the French company warned that its key diabetes business would probably not grow next year.

Vagueness over Viehbacher's role first surfaced on Monday.