Aayam Lamichhane: From Lab Bench to Global Strategy

How scientific passion led to immunology leadership

Aayam Lamichhane, Head of Strategy and Operations for Sanofi's Global Immunology Franchise, shares how his childhood fascination with science, a commitment to serving patients, and a drive to create meaningful change in the world led to a remarkable career journey across continents.

When a younger Aayam watched news reports about Dolly the sheep – the world's first cloned mammal – from his home in Nepal, it sparked a fascination with genetic engineering. It was the first time he saw how science could change the world. That moment launched a lifelong pursuit of discovery that would ultimately lead him to the forefront of global immunology leadership at Sanofi.

His story demonstrates how scientific curiosity, combined with a passion for helping underserved patient populations, can lead to a meaningful, evolving career that spans laboratory research to global strategy.

“Growing up in Nepal, there was always this expectation that ambitious children should become doctors or engineers,” Aayam explains. “But that cloning breakthrough changed my perspective. Suddenly, I wanted to understand genetic engineering and biochemistry rather than pursue traditional medicine.”

From scientific foundations to pharmaceutical innovation

This early pivot toward scientific research set Aayam on an unexpected path. After completing his education in Japan, where he earned both undergraduate and master's degrees in immunology, he began his career as a research scientist at Chugai Pharmaceutical Company, spending nearly a decade in drug discovery.

“I was drawn to immunology because it allowed me to deeply understand disease mechanisms at a fundamental level,” Aayam says. “During those years in research, I became particularly interested in therapies for rare diseases after learning about Genzyme – a company developing treatments for patient populations that larger pharmaceutical companies often overlooked because the markets were considered too small.”

This passion for serving patient communities in need would later lead him to Sanofi, which acquired Genzyme in 2011 and continues to maintain its commitment to treating rare diseases.

“What impressed me about Sanofi-Genzyme’s approach at the time was that they made it both a business and a mission, proving you could serve these overlooked patient populations while building a sustainable enterprise,” he notes. “That deeply resonated with me.”

Gaining a broad view of the industry through consulting

After his research career, Aayam made a significant career shift, joining Boston Consulting Group (BCG)’s healthcare practice in Tokyo. This move allowed him to develop a broader perspective on pharmaceutical strategy while working with diverse healthcare companies.

“The consulting experience was transformative because it helped me see the bigger picture of how science translates into business strategy and ultimately reaches patients,” Aayam explains. “I gained exposure to various aspects of the industry that I wouldn’t have seen from my laboratory perspective alone.”

This strategic understanding would prove invaluable when an opportunity at Sanofi presented itself – a company whose commitment to improving lives aligned with his own values.

Six years, six roles: building versatility at Sanofi

Since joining Sanofi in 2019, Aayam has held six different positions across Japan and the United States – a testament to both his adaptability and the company’s commitment to developing versatile leaders.

“When I first joined Sanofi in Japan, the company was in the midst of a strategic transformation, increasing its focus on Specialty Care while maintaining a presence in primary care and other areas,” he explains. “This transformation created many opportunities for growth and learning, allowing me to experience different roles as the organization evolved.”

His journey began in portfolio planning for Sanofi’s Specialty Care Business Unit in Japan, before progressing to leadership roles in public affairs, strategy, and business performance. This breadth of experience provided a comprehensive understanding of how global pharmaceutical strategies translate into market-specific execution.

“Working in Japan gave me strong insight into how strategy becomes reality,” Aayam says. “At the affiliate level, you’re close to patients and the market, translating high-level goals into real-world impact. That hands-on experience was a great foundation before stepping into a global role.”

This kind of mobility and growth is part of what defines a career at Sanofi – one where people are encouraged to explore more, learn fast, and move forward.

The power of mentorship: inspiring confidence and action

The next pivotal moment in Aayam’s career came through Sanofi’s mentorship program, where he connected with many senior leaders, including the Head of Specialty Care. These regular one-on-one sessions transformed Aayam’s thinking about his own potential.

“What I learned from my mentors was profound – it’s not about your title or position, but rather how you can take bigger responsibility in whatever role you have,” Aayam says. “The question became: how can my work translate to greater value for the patients we ultimately serve?”

This mindset shift gave Aayam the confidence to take bold steps in his career, supported by a culture that values growth, bold moves, and shared purpose. He relocated to Cambridge, Massachusetts in 2022 to take on roles with a worldwide scope.

Today, he pays this forward by mentoring three to four colleagues, helping them navigate their own career development within Sanofi.

Building the immunology franchise from the ground up

In his current role as Head of Strategy and Operations for the Global Immunology Franchise, Aayam has been part of building a new organizational division from its earliest stages.

“I was one of the original team members when we started,” he explains. “Now we’re many more, so being present at the creation gives you a unique opportunity to reinvent how we work to develop the long-term franchise strategy.”

This position connects his scientific background in immunology with his strategic expertise – a perfect alignment of passion and capability. The team’s expansion reflects Sanofi’s commitment to becoming a world leader in immunology, an ambition that motivates Aayam.

“We’ve created tremendous excitement around our immunology portfolio,” he says. “The portfolio has been enriched and accelerated, putting our leadership goal well within reach.”

For Aayam, this is where science meets scale – and where the potential to make a difference becomes real.

A culture built on acting for patients

For Aayam, what distinguishes Sanofi is how its patient-first approach is embedded in the organization’s experience with rare diseases.

“Many biopharma companies talk about patient centricity, but working here in rare diseases – you know many of your patients by name,” he explains. “It’s not about volume; it’s about intimacy and connection to patients, their caregivers, and families. That ideology permeates the organization and provides tremendous fulfillment in our work.”

This mission continues to drive Aayam’s career aspirations. Looking ahead, he hopes to eventually return to affiliate leadership, potentially in Japan or another market, where he can apply his global strategic experience to local execution.

“For me, progress means constantly evolving – building teams, growing others, and staying focused on what really matters: delivering for patients,” he says. “This is a place where you’re encouraged to think bigger, act with urgency, and keep learning. That’s what keeps me moving.”