Sanofi is partnering with Saudi drugmakers Arabio and Lifera to increase the production of vaccines in Saudi Arabia. Lifera and Sanofi signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) enabling the two companies to strengthen local manufacturing. With the MOU Sanofi, LIfera and Arabio plan to investigate to advance the vaccine localization strategy in Saudi Arabia. One proposed initiative outlines Lifera as a contract manufacturer for Sanofi through state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities. 
 
“As one of the leading global vaccines manufactures and as a strategic partner to Saudi Arabia and an enabler of Vision 2030, Sanofi is committed to increasing vaccine accessibility and supporting Saudi Arabia’s goal to reduce its reliance on pharmaceutical imports, said Sanofi Greater Gulf’s vaccines and general manager Fokion Sinis. “This MOU further builds on this commitment, enabling us to share our global expertise and contribute to advancing the public health agenda and industrial sector development of the country, ultimately benefiting patents and communities in Saudi Arabia.”
 
The MOU aims to increase national resilience and enable growth in the biopharma sector through technology transfers, further creating a skilled biopharmaceutical workforce. 
 
Lifera is a new biopharmaceutical company focused on reliable and affordable access to medicines in Saudi Arabia. They develop local manufacturing capacities for vaccines, insulin, plasma therapeutics and other biologics.
 
Lifera chairman Ibrahim Aljufalli commented, “As a newly established biopharmaceutical company, we are committed to working with global and local partners to achieve our mission- and this MOU is a testament to that commitment. By collaborating with Sanofi, an innovative global healthcare leader Lifera is facilitating the transfer of world-class technology and expertise to Saudi Arabia and most importantly, bringing the highest-quality vaccines to Saudi citizens, enhancing national resilience and self-sufficiency. Lifera is committed to building manufacturing capacity to cGMP standards with international partners, and the right scale to serve Saudi and global markets.”