Sanofi-aventis has appointed Dr Richard Klausner as Chairman of the Strategic Development and Scientific Advisory Council (SDSAC).

Dr Klausner is the former Executive Director for Global Health of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and was Director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) between 1995 and 2001.

In his new role, he will work directly with Dr Elias Zerhouni, President, Global Research & Development, and also will act as special scientific and strategic advisor to Christopher A. Viehbacher, Chief Executive Officer of sanofi-aventis (pictured).

The SDSAC was created in November 2010 to enhance sanofi-aventis’ scientific discovery in a collaborative approach with external advisors.

“The Council is a vital part of our efforts to open sanofi-aventis’ research and development efforts to outside perspectives”, said Viehbacher. “It demonstrates our conviction in the benefit of partnering to further develop a truly world-class research and development platform for future innovation for the benefit of patients around the world.”

“Under Dr. Klausner’s leadership and together with some of the most talented scientists around the world, the goal of this Council is to capitalise on the great minds of today to help us challenge current discoveries, identify new trends in science and deepen our relationship with the external scientific world,” added Dr Zerhouni.