“I accept the criticism that we weren’t good enough in this area, so we have to improve our communication,” Gerard Le Fur, a pharmacologist and the drugmaker’s new ceo, told The Wall Street Journal (subscription required).

The drugmaker has been criticized by investors for not being more transparent, so Le Fur, promises change, starting with a big research and development meeting on Feb. 13.

The interview wasn’t entirely convincing, though.

Okay, yes, he granted an interview. But he was mum on the big topics. Le Fur answered only “perhaps” when asked about whether he was interested in buying Bristol-Myers Squibb, with which Sanofi jointly markets the Plavix bloodthinner. And he wouldn’t say what’s delaying U.S. approval of Acomplia, the weight-loss and anti-smoking drug that has generated tremendous interest. He doesn’t want to jeopardize the relationship with the FDA.

Le Fur will have to do better than that if he really wants to improve communication.

[tags]Sanofi-Aventis[/tags]