The Paris-based giant Sanofi-Aventis Group has announced the appointment of Chris Viehbacher – GlaxoSmithKline´s head in the U.S. – as its new CEO, replacing Gerard Le Fur after less than two years in the job.

Sanofi stated Viehbacher would take up his position as from December 1st, and Le Fur would continue to work in scientific areas within the group.

Le Fur took over as Sanofi CEO in January 2007, but industry analysts and people close to the company said relations with Sanofi´s powerful chairman Jean-Francois Dehecq had been strained, and the changeover had been expected.

According to analysts, Sanofi has been the slowest of the European pharma company sector in recent years, and has a poor reputation for delivery following a series of product setbacks.

Oil giant Total and cosmetics group L'Oreal, which together own more than a fifth of Sanofi´s shares, are thought to have pushed for a change at the top of Sanofi to reinvigorate the company´s performance.

A share price jump of almost 7 percent reflects investor hopes that the changeover will bring a fresh strategy at Sanofi, according to industry analysts.