Sanofi has reaffirmed its commitment to South African healthcare with the appointment of two senior leaders and a renewed focus on supporting healthcare professionals, expanding local partnerships, and improving access to essential treatments in key areas such as vaccines, immunology, and rare diseases.
“This is a new chapter for Sanofi in South Africa,” says Jean-Baptiste Bregeon, Sanofi South Africa’s Country Lead and Head of Vaccines. “We are focused on making a real impact through practical support for healthcare professionals, expanding access to important medicines and vaccines, and strengthening our ties with partners across the system.”
Focused leadership
Bregeon brings over 20 years of international experience, with senior roles in commercial and clinical operations across the Middle East, North Africa, and Eurasia. As former General Manager for North Africa at Sanofi Vaccines, he led efforts to improve vaccine access and build local capacity. He has also advised Sanofi’s global leadership on operational strategy and commercial planning.
Bregeon will oversee Sanofi’s overall strategy in the country and lead its vaccine division, which remains a core part of the company’s healthcare offering.
Lenisha Maharaj, newly appointed Head of Pharma for South Africa, Namibia and Botswana, is a seasoned Pharmaceutical Executive with over 20 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors. At Sanofi, she will oversee growth across the general medicines and specialty care portfolios, supporting both primary and specialist care.
“Sanofi understands the realities that healthcare professionals face,” says Maharaj. “Our goal is to support them with the right tools, training, and access to innovative treatments so they can keep delivering high-quality care.”
Strengthening partnerships and access
A key part of Sanofi’s long-term strategy is to build strong, lasting partnerships. Its collaboration with Biovac, a local vaccine manufacturer, is a core example. This will help to boost domestic vaccine production capacity and reduce reliance on global supply chains. Such public-private partnerships support healthcare resilience as well as local economic and scientific development.
Beyond vaccines, Sanofi is investing in other areas that have a direct impact on healthcare professionals and the patients they serve:
- Clinical trials in South Africa: Expanding its local clinical research footprint to increase representation of African patients in global trials and ensure that treatment decisions are informed by local data.
- Access to innovative medicines: Working to bring advanced treatments in rare diseases and immunology to South Africa, along with patient support programmes and diagnostic assistance, to help doctors and patients navigate access challenges.
- Medical education and digital engagement: Offering CPD-accredited education, clinical webinars, and digital tools to help healthcare professionals stay updated on the latest treatment protocols and deliver more streamlined care.
- Policy engagement and system support: Actively involved in discussions with policymakers and funders to help shape health policies that improve medicine access and promote fair, sustainable healthcare.
Supporting healthcare professionals
Sanofi says it recognises the ongoing pressures facing South African healthcare workers, from dealing with supply shortages and reimbursement hurdles to managing the growing burden of chronic and complex diseases.
“We see our role as being part of the solution,” says Bregeon. “We are here to support healthcare professionals, not only by ensuring a reliable supply of medicines, but by providing the training, tools, and partnerships they need to do their jobs effectively.”
The company is also prioritising engagement with healthcare professionals through regular updates, field team support, and opportunities for joint problem-solving around system-level challenges.
Sanofi says it is committed to staying in close conversation with the healthcare community and building a more resilient, inclusive, and patient-focused system.
“We want to work with doctors, nurses, pharmacists, policymakers and funders to build something long-term,” Bregeon adds. “We believe that by working together, we can improve outcomes for patients and strengthen the foundation of healthcare in this country.”
