Distinguished researcher leads global rare disease strategy at Sanofi
Roberto Mulberry de Araujo, MD, brings more than a decade of experience in medical research to his current role as North America senior medical director for rare diseases at Sanofi. Since joining the company in 2014, Dr. Araujo has advanced through multiple positions, consistently contributing to the advancement of rare disease treatments.
“My work focuses on developing evidence-based strategies that can make a real difference for patients with rare conditions,” Dr. Araujo said. “Each role has taught me something new about how we can better serve these communities.”
Dr. Araujo’s career at Sanofi began in São Paulo, where he served as medical manager for rare diseases in emerging markets from 2014 to 2017. He then moved to the Greater Boston area as global medical director from 2017 to 2020, followed by his role as global medical learning and capability lead in Cambridge in 2020.
Dr. Araujo’s research portfolio extends well beyond conventional medical boundaries. His work includes zero-gravity research conducted in partnership with the European Space Agency and NASA, as well as biochemical research on ion channels and gravity sensation. He has also contributed to cardiomyopathy research and conducted studies analyzing the mitochondrial DNA of penguins in Antarctica.
“Research takes you to unexpected places,” Dr. Araujo noted. “Whether it’s studying penguins in Antarctica or conducting experiments in zero gravity, each project teaches us something valuable about biological systems.”
His achievements have earned recognition from prestigious organizations. Dr. Araujo received the Second Prize in the Biotechnology Entrepreneur Program from the British Bureau of Scientific Research Council in 2004 and won First Prize for Zero Gravity research from the European Low Gravity Research Association. He has also been awarded fellowship grants for his myriad research contributions.
From 2020 to 2021, Dr. Araujo served as global head of medical capability development in Boston, where he worked to strengthen medical teams across Sanofi. In 2021, he transitioned to leading the global evidence-generation strategy for rare diseases. Since January 2025, he moved to a senior medical director position in North America expanding his experience to focus on mature markets.
“Building strong medical capabilities means ensuring that teams around the world have the knowledge and tools they need to support patients effectively,” Dr. Araujo explained. “It’s about creating connections between research and real-world patient care.”
Dr. Araujo’s recognition by Marquis Who’s Who highlights his significant contributions to biotechnology and rare disease research. His work continues to support the development of treatments for patients with conditions that affect small populations worldwide.
About Marquis Who’s Who®:
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