What You Should Know:
– Sanofi, a global healthcare leader, and Biovac, a prominent South African biopharmaceutical company, announced a landmark partnership. This collaboration aims to establish local manufacturing of inactivated polio vaccines (IPV) in Africa, serving the needs of over 40 African countries.
– Under this new partnership, Sanofi will continue producing the bulk IPV supply. Biovac, upon receiving marketing authorization, will oversee the final stages of formulation, filling, packaging, and delivery of millions of IPV doses to UNICEF for GAVI countries in Africa.
Understanding Polio: A Highly Infectious Disease
Polio is a highly contagious viral illness primarily affecting children under five. It can cause temporary or permanent paralysis and even death. The virus spreads through fecal matter or respiratory droplets from infected individuals. While nearly 90% of infections cause no or mild symptoms, some experience fever, fatigue, and muscle aches. One in 200 polio cases leads to irreversible paralysis.
A Boost for African Vaccine Production
This agreement marks a significant milestone in Africa’s vaccine independence. Biovac will become the first African producer of IPV, directly contributing to the continent’s goal of producing 60% of its vaccines locally by 2040, as envisioned by the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Sanofi’s Legacy of Polio Eradication
Sanofi boasts a long-standing commitment to polio eradication. Since 1988, they have been a critical partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), supplying over 1.5 billion IPV doses to UNICEF and GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance. GAVI focuses on vaccinating populations in over 70 low-income countries to achieve global polio eradication.
Biovac: A Champion for African Healthcare
Established in 2003 in collaboration with the South African government, Biovac is a leading biotechnology company and Center of Excellence. Their mission is to develop and manufacture vaccines and other biological products specifically for Africa and beyond, strengthening regional healthcare security.
Global Progress in Polio Eradication
The tireless efforts of the GPEI have yielded remarkable results. Over the past 30 years, polio cases have decreased by 99% worldwide, thanks to the immunization of 2.5 billion children. Currently, only two countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan, remain polio-endemic. As a direct consequence of global eradication efforts, nearly 20 million people have been spared from polio’s crippling effects.
“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 pediatric 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,” said Thomas Triomphe, Executive Vice President, Vaccines at Sanofi.