What Sanofi actually looks for
Sanofi, headquartered in Paris, is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world and runs a genuinely diverse portfolio: Lantus and Toujeo for diabetes, Dupixent (co-developed and co-marketed with Regeneron) for eczema, asthma, and other inflammatory conditions, and a large vaccines business through Sanofi Pasteur. In 2024, Sanofi sold a majority stake in its consumer health division, Opella, to private equity firm CD&R, sharpening its focus toward specialty pharma and vaccines rather than consumer products like over-the-counter medicines. Because Dupixent is co-developed with Regeneron rather than owned outright, interviewers in R&D and commercial roles expect you to understand how Sanofi manages a genuine partnership structure, including shared decision-making and revenue splits, rather than treating it like a wholly owned asset. Sanofi's French and broader European roots also mean a more structured, formal interview process compared to some US biotech peers.
Common questions and how to answer them
How would you manage a co-development partnership like the one with Regeneron on Dupixent? Talk about aligned incentives, clear governance around decision rights, and how you'd handle disagreements between two companies with different cultures and priorities. What does the Opella divestiture tell you about Sanofi's strategy? A strong answer explains that Sanofi is narrowing focus toward specialty pharma and vaccines, moving away from lower-margin consumer health products, and ties this to resource allocation for R&D. How does Sanofi Pasteur's vaccines business differ from the specialty pharma side of the company? Show you understand vaccines involve different manufacturing, distribution, and public health considerations, including large-scale government procurement relationships, compared to specialty drug commercialization. For each question, be specific about which Sanofi business unit you're discussing, specialty pharma, vaccines, or the divested consumer health unit, since the company's current strategy depends on this distinction.
How to prepare
Understand the Dupixent partnership structure with Regeneron in specific terms, since it's one of the most important products in Sanofi's portfolio and a real example of co-development done at scale. Know that Sanofi sold majority control of its consumer health unit Opella in 2024, since this signals the company's current strategic direction toward specialty medicine and vaccines. If interviewing in Paris, expect a more formal, structured process than at some US-based biotechs, with clear expectations around professionalism and preparation. Expect a more formal, multi-round process typical of large European pharma companies, often including a case study for commercial roles and a technical presentation for scientific ones.