Biovac
Biovac is a South African public-private partnership biopharmaceutical company founded in 2003 that manufactures pediatric and endemic-disease vaccines for African markets. It produces Hexaxim, BCG, and measles-rubella vaccines under government contracts and is developing Africa's first domestically produced oral cholera vaccine.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2003
- HeadquartersCape Town, South Africa
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
Biovac firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Biovac
- Legal name
- The Biologicals and Vaccines Institute of Southern Africa Proprietary Limited
- Website
- https://biovac.co.za
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2003
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Biovac is a South African public-private partnership biopharmaceutical company founded in 2003 that manufactures pediatric and endemic-disease vaccines for African markets. It produces Hexaxim, BCG, and measles-rubella vaccines under government contracts and is developing Africa's first domestically produced oral cholera vaccine.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Biovac industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Vaccine Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414), Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412)
- SIC
- Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836), Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Travel & Tropical Disease Vaccines (HLAIAEAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Bioprocess Facility, Cleanroom & Utility Systems (HVAC, WFI, CIP/SIP, containment) (HLAAAJAJ), Infectious Disease & Antimicrobials Pharmaceuticals (HLAIAAAG), Biologics & Vaccine Regulators (HLAJADAB)
Keywords
Where Biovac is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cape Town
- HQ country
- South Africa
- HQ region
- Africa
Offices2 records
Markets served
Biovac business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Government Vaccine Contracts: Biovac generates revenue through securing large-scale government procurement contracts. The company retained a R5.3 billion contract to supply Hexaxim (six-in-one vaccine) to the South African government for a three-year tender starting 2027, along with additional contracts for BCG and measles-rubella vaccines. This represents the primary revenue stream as a state-backed vaccine manufacturer.
- International Manufacturing Partnerships: Revenue generated through manufacturing agreements with international pharmaceutical companies such as Sanofi for producing vaccines like inactivated polio vaccines for distribution across African nations. Also includes technology transfer arrangements.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels3 records
Biovac product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Biovac is a South African bio-pharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures, and supplies pediatric and public-health vaccines for the South African National Department of Health and for other African nations. Its core products include Hexaxim (six-in-one combination), BCG, MeasBio (measles-rubella), Inactivated Polio Vaccine, and Pentavalent Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine, with new capacity being added for an African-developed oral cholera vaccine, pneumonia, and meningitis vaccines.
Product overview
Biovac is a South African biopharmaceutical company and public-private partnership vaccine manufacturer established in 2003. The company operates as a vaccine manufacturing and product development organization, producing a portfolio of pediatric vaccines including Hexaxim (six-in-one combination), BCG, and MeasBio (measles-rubella). Biovac is developing Africa's first domestically produced oral cholera vaccine currently in clinical trials, and manufactures inactivated polio vaccines through a Sanofi partnership for over 40 African nations. Through a EuBiologics partnership, Biovac produces pentavalent meningococcal conjugate vaccines for the African meningitis belt. The company is expanding its Cape Town facility to add production capacity for cholera, polio, pneumonia, and meningitis vaccines, targeting 30-40 million doses annually by 2028.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Hexaxim
- BCG Vaccine
- MeasBio (Measles-Rubella Vaccine)
- Inactivated Polio Vaccine
- Pentavalent Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine
Quantifiable outcome
- Reduce Africa's dependence on imported vaccines from 99% to 60% locally produced by 2040
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Biovac
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Biovac technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Biovac partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- SanoficorePartnership to manufacture inactivated polio vaccines for over 40 African nations. This manufacturing agreement enables Biovac to produce and supply critical childhood vaccines across the African continent, supporting regional immunization goals.
- Bharat BiotechcoreTechnology transfer agreement to build a vaccine manufacturing facility in Lagos, Nigeria. Expands Biovac's technology transfer footprint to additional African nations.
- EuBiologics Co. LtdcoreTechnology transfer partnership to establish local production of pentavalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine targeting the African meningitis belt. Enables Biovac to manufacture advanced meningitis vaccines domestically.
- International Vaccine InstitutecorePartnership for oral cholera vaccine development. Biovac is developing Africa's first domestically developed oral cholera vaccine under this partnership, currently in Phase 3 clinical trials.
- World Health Organization (mRNA Technology Transfer Programme)coreBiovac is a partner in the WHO mRNA Technology Transfer Programme based in Cape Town, which has grown to 15 partners working to build sustainable regional mRNA production capacity.
- Wellcome TrustminorCollaborated with Wellcome Trust and Boston Consulting Group on a report about scaling up African vaccine manufacturing capacity.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Biovac competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Serum Institute of India: World's largest vaccine manufacturer by doses and Biovac's primary global competitor for pediatric and low-cost vaccine supply into African tenders; comparable end-to-end biologics manufacturing model at much greater scale.
- BioNTech: mRNA platform pioneer; Biovac's WHO mRNA Technology Transfer hub participation makes BioNTech a relevant comparable for the mRNA drug substance and vaccine development capability Biovac is building out in Cape Town.
- Sanofi Pasteur: Global vaccine incumbent and Biovac's manufacturing partner for inactivated polio across 40+ African nations; relevant as both partner and competitive benchmark for combination vaccines, conjugation, and global supply.
Direct peers
- Bharat Biotech: Indian vaccine developer and manufacturer that is also a Biovac technology transfer partner (Lagos facility); highly comparable in business model as an emerging-market end-to-end vaccine producer targeting infectious diseases prevalent in the Global South.
- EuBiologics Co. Ltd: South Korean vaccine manufacturer and Biovac's technology transfer partner for pentavalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine; directly comparable as a conjugate vaccine specialist licensing into emerging markets.
- Institut Pasteur de Dakar: African vaccine manufacturer (yellow fever, measles-rubella) building new fill-finish capacity in Senegal; the most direct African peer competing for the same continental vaccine sovereignty agenda and UNICEF/Gavi procurement.
Regional players
- Aspen Pharmacare: Largest South African pharma group with vaccine sterile manufacturing capabilities and licensing deals with Big Pharma; comparable South African base, government relationships, and contract manufacturing posture.
Emerging players
- Biological E: Indian vaccine and biologics CDMO with comparable pediatric combination vaccine portfolio and emerging-market tender focus; similar positioning as a scaled emerging-market manufacturer competing for WHO/UNICEF African volume.
- GAVI-supported African vaccine initiatives (e.g., Afrigen): South Africa-based mRNA vaccine hub within the WHO Technology Transfer Programme; the closest geographic and capability peer to Biovac's mRNA infrastructure build-out.
Others
- GSK Vaccines: Global vaccine incumbent whose Hexaxim product is central to Biovac's R5.3B tender; relevant as both upstream licensor and global benchmark for combination pediatric vaccines and conjugate technology.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Biovac social profiles
Digital presenceBiovac compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Biovac financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Biovac leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Biovac funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors3 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Biovac M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Biovac
What does Biovac do?
Biovac is a South African bio-pharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures, and supplies pediatric and public-health vaccines for the South African National Department of Health and for other African nations. Its core products include Hexaxim (six-in-one combination), BCG, MeasBio (measles-rubella), Inactivated Polio Vaccine, and Pentavalent Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine, with new capacity being added for an African-developed oral cholera vaccine, pneumonia, and meningitis vaccines.
Is Biovac a public or private company?
Biovac is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Biovac founded?
Biovac was founded in 2003. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Biovac based?
Biovac is headquartered in Cape Town, South Africa, in the Africa region.
How does Biovac make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Government Vaccine Contracts are the primary driver. The others are international Manufacturing Partnerships.
Who are Biovac's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Serum Institute of India, BioNTech and Sanofi Pasteur. Direct peers are Bharat Biotech, EuBiologics Co. Ltd and Institut Pasteur de Dakar. Aspen Pharmacare is listed as a regional player. Emerging players are Biological E and GAVI-supported African vaccine initiatives (e.g., Afrigen). GSK Vaccines is listed as an others.
Does Biovac have an API?
No public API is recorded for Biovac.
What industry is Biovac in?
Biovac's product category is Vaccine Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAIAEAE, Travel & Tropical Disease Vaccines, with a secondary code of HLAAAJAJ, Bioprocess Facility, Cleanroom & Utility Systems (HVAC, WFI, CIP/SIP, containment). Its NAICS code is 325414 and its SIC code is 2836.