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Sanofi and Biovac Partner to Manufacture Polio Vaccines in Africa
Sanofi and Biovac announce a strategic partnership to produce inactivated polio vaccines (IPV) locally in Africa. This collaboration aims to boost regional vaccine manufacturing capabilities and support immunization efforts across the continent.
Sanofi, a platinum member of the French South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FSACCI), joins forces with Biovac, based in Cape Town, South Africa, to establish the first African production facility for IPV. The initiative is aligned with Africa CDC’s goal to increase local vaccine production to 60% by 2040.
Thomas Triomphe, Sanofi’s Executive Vice President of Vaccines, emphasized the partnership’s significance: “For 40 years, Sanofi has supplied billions of polio vaccine doses globally, supporting the world getting close to polio eradication. But with the COVID-19 pandemic, many routine paediatric vaccination programs were halted or disrupted.
"Catching up will be key to preventing a rise in cases in many countries worldwide and this Sanofi partnership with Biovac is a step in that direction. Establishing this manufacturing partnership now, ahead of time, is key to enabling Biovac’s manufacturing capabilities for future international tenders.”
Dr Morena Makhoana, CEO of Biovac, highlighted the collaboration’s impact: “We are very proud of this partnership with Sanofi, which will empower Biovac as an African manufacturer to champion polio eradication on and for the continent by bringing manufacturing of IPV doses closer to people needs.”
Sanofi will continue to supply bulk IPV, with Biovac managing late-stage production and delivery across Africa to support UNICEF and GAVI initiatives.
Read more here: Sanofi and Biovac spearhead polio vaccine manufacturing capabilities in Africa.
