Top 5 Healthcare Stories: Sanofi, Novo Nordisk & P&G

How Can Sanofi's First Female CEO Transform the Company?

The French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi has appointed Belén Garijo, the current Chief Executive of Merck KGaA, as its new CEO from April. The appointment represents a historic moment for the company, as Belén becomes the first woman to hold the top position.

In a company statement, Sanofi confirmed the leadership transition, with its Board of Directors announcing: "It decided not to renew the Director mandate of Paul Hudson", noting that his "last day as Chief Executive Officer will be on 17 February 2026 at the end of business".

The decision brings to a close Hudson's six-year leadership period, which could be characterised by extensive restructuring efforts and significant R&D investment, alongside clinical disappointments and growing shareholder discontent.

How Wegovy Weight-Loss Drug is Driving Novo Nordisk Growth

Novo Nordisk has revealed plans to expand its production facility in Ireland to manufacture its popular weight-loss treatment Wegovy, making the drug more accessible to patients beyond the US market.

CEO Mike Doustdar confirmed to Bloomberg in an interview that the company's Athlone facility in Ireland will undergo expansion. The move forms part of Novo Nordisk's broader strategy to reclaim its position in the weight-loss market, where the pharmaceutical company has been competing since losing ground to rival Eli Lilly, the maker of injectable treatment Zepbound.

"If we were about to throw in the towel we would not be investing in factories in Ireland," Mike says.

Ireland is a significant global centre for pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical manufacturing, consistently ranking among the world's leading exporters of medicinal and pharmaceutical products.

Colgate-Palmolive: Imagining a Healthier Future for All

Ann Tracy's work at Colgate-Palmolive is reinforcing what effective corporate sustainability leadership could look like.

Her fifth-place ranking in Sustainability Magazine's Top 250 Leaders 2026 reflects a Chief Sustainability Officer who consistently connects environmental goals with healthcare outcomes and commercial performance.

Leading Colgate-Palmolive's Global Sustainability & Social Impact strategy, she is guiding one of the world's best-known consumer goods companies towards a net zero, circular and more inclusive future.

"We are Colgate-Palmolive, a caring, innovative growth company that is reimagining a healthier future for all people, their pets and our planet," Ann said in the foreword of the company's 2024 Sustainability and Social Impact Report."

Virginie Helias: How P&G Champions Healthcare Sustainability

Virginie Helias, Chief Sustainability Officer at Procter & Gamble, has secured sixth place in Sustainability Magazine's Top 250 Sustainability Leaders 2026.

The recognition highlights her dedication to integrating sustainability throughout the company's operations, with a dual focus on minimising environmental impact and supporting communities through health and hygiene initiatives.

Why is the UK Planning to Invest US$2.2bn in Healthcare AI?

The UK Government has unveiled its first-ever AI strategy aimed at driving innovation across multiple sectors, including healthcare. 

This includes a £1.6bn (US$2.2bn) investment dedicated to AI research and development.

As AI continues to shape the future of science and medicine, this investment plans to accelerate breakthroughs in health, energy and beyond.