When Baptiste de Clarens stepped into the role of general manager for vaccines in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region at Sanofi less than a year ago, he brought with him a wealth of experience, a track record of success, and a vision to transform the region. De Clarens, whose career has spanned continents — from Korea to France and now the Middle East — has embraced this new chapter with a clear mission: to redefine how Sanofi leverages its innovative vaccine pipeline while navigating the unique challenges and opportunities of the Gulf.
The Gulf region is no longer just a market that executes global strategies; it has emerged as a vital area shaping Sanofi’s global agenda. De Clarens sees this shift as a pivotal moment, a chance to “write a new growth story” for the region. And at the heart of this story lies Sanofi’s cutting-edge vaccine pipeline, which includes groundbreaking developments like high-dose flu vaccines and RSV monoclonal antibodies. These innovations, paired with ambitious plans for local vaccine manufacturing as part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, position Sanofi as a key player in the Gulf’s healthcare transformation.
One standout milestone is the launch of Sanofi’s RSV monoclonal antibody in Kuwait, with plans to be introduced in Saudi Arabia and the UAE soon. This innovation has already proven its impact in markets like the US and Europe by reducing infant hospitalizations by up to 90 percent. For de Clarens, the introduction of RSV solutions in the Gulf is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in public health outcomes — redefining how infants are protected.
However, driving change in the Gulf comes with its share of challenges. Despite the region’s exceptional success in pediatric immunization — especially in Saudi Arabia, which boasts some of the highest global vaccination rates — adult immunization lags behind. Vaccine skepticism remains a hurdle, particularly for flu and COVID-19 vaccines among older populations. De Clarens recognizes this gap and is laser-focused on strengthening immunization infrastructure and public health awareness to address it.
Localization is another cornerstone of de Clarens’ strategy. Through Sanofi’s partnership with Arabio and other key stakeholders, the company is advancing vaccine manufacturing capabilities in Saudi Arabia. This effort aligns not only with Vision 2030’s goal of achieving healthcare autonomy but also underscores Sanofi’s long-term commitment to the region.
De Clarens views the Gulf as a region of immense potential. “The region has been successful in the past, but now we have access to tools and resources that were not fully utilized before,” he said. With more than 30 vaccine launches planned globally in the next five years, the Gulf stands poised to lead in adoption and innovation.
As the world’s eyes turn to the Middle East, driven by transformative visions like Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, de Clarens is clear-eyed about Sanofi’s role in shaping the future of healthcare in the region. With a focus on innovation, public health, and local partnerships, his leadership promises to leave a lasting impact — not just for Sanofi, but for the millions of lives touched by vaccines in the Gulf and beyond.
