RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s localization efforts received a further boost after the Kingdom’s newly established biopharmaceutical firm Lifera partnered with French pharmaceutical company Sanofi and Saudi manufacturer Arabio to increase the local production of vaccines. The Public Investment Fund-owned company signed a Memorandum of Understanding with these firms to explore opportunities for collaboration in the areas of vaccine manufacturing within the Kingdom, according to a press release. This is part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to advance the vaccines localization strategy through a range of proposed initiatives that include Lifera becoming a contract manufacturer to Sanofi. “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,” said Ibrahim Aljufalli, chairman of the Lifera Board. The MoU will also see Arabio, which is part-owned by Tamer Group, strengthening its local and regional distribution of vaccines and other pharmaceutical products. He added: “By collaborating with Sanofi, an innovative global health care 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.” Localization is a key part of the Vision 2030 agenda, which aims to enhance local content in various sectors, as the Kingdom wants to diversify its economy away from oil. Fokion Sinis, vaccines general manager for Sanofi in the Greater Gulf, said that the new partnership will help reduce Saudi Arabia’s dependence on vaccine imports. “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 patients and communities in Saudi Arabia,” he said. This partnership is the beginning of the development of the Saudi biopharmaceutical sector, said Faisal Tamer, chairman of Arabio and vice chairman of Tamer Group, adding that the deal is expected to create several new opportunities for talent to grow in this vital sector. “Arabio and the Tamer Group are focused on supplying consumers in Saudi Arabia with healthcare products of the highest quality together with a broad network of leading global partner companies,” added Tamer.