Sanofi bolsters R&D by recruiting GSK’s development chief

FRANCE – Christopher Corsico, M.D., has made a significant career move, leaving GSK to assume the role of Global Head of Development at Sanofi, effective immediately.

The transition was announced internally on March 31 and has been shared with Sanofi team members, according to a communication obtained by Fierce Biotech.

In his new capacity at Sanofi, Corsico will report directly to Houman Ashrafian, Ph.D., the company’s Executive Vice President of R&D.

His appointment fills a long-vacant role that became available following previous high-profile leadership shifts.

Notably, Dietmar Berger, M.D., Ph.D., who had been serving in a similar capacity, left Sanofi at the start of 2025 after a reorganization that saw him replace Chief Medical Officer Merdad Parsey, M.D., Ph.D.

Corsico brings a wealth of experience from his tenure at GSK, where he served for over six years as Senior Vice President and Global Head of Development.

His time at GSK was marked by significant contributions to advancing clinical development strategies and spearheading innovative projects across the pharmaceutical portfolio.

Prior to his role at GSK, Corsico accumulated over 20 years of industry experience at Boehringer Ingelheim, where he held various leadership positions including Chief Medical Officer.

His extensive background in medical research and drug development makes him an ideal candidate to lead Sanofi’s development efforts in a highly competitive market.

Educationally, Corsico is well-equipped for his new responsibilities. He earned his medical degree from Cornell University in New York and furthered his expertise by obtaining a master’s degree in public health, specializing in chronic disease epidemiology, from Yale University in Connecticut.

Corsico’s departure from GSK was confirmed by the company, which also announced the appointment of Harmony Garges, M.D., to lead its development unit.

Garges, who has more than 20 years of combined experience across GSK ViiV Healthcare—a company jointly owned by GSK, Pfizer, and Shionogi—brings complementary expertise to the table, ensuring that GSK continues to maintain its momentum in the competitive pharmaceutical landscape.

The appointment of Corsico is seen as a strategic move by Sanofi as the company aims to strengthen its research and development capabilities.