French healthcare company Sanofi S.A. (Euronext Paris:SAN) (Nasdaq:SNY) and South African biopharmaceutical company Biovac on Thursday announced a partnership to produce inactivated polio vaccines (IPV) in Africa.

This initiative aims to serve over 40 African countries and positions Biovac as the continent's first IPV manufacturer.

Sanofi will continue bulk production, while Biovac will handle final formulation, filling, packaging and distribution of millions of doses to UNICEF for GAVI countries in Africa. This collaboration aligns with the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's goal of 60% local vaccine production by 2040.