Samir Machour is a Moroccan Canadian biopharmaceutical executive, investor, and philanthropist known around the world for his work in vaccine self-reliance, biologics manufacturing, and public health advancement. Born on March 10, 1963, in Rabat, Morocco, Machour became one of the key figures in modern healthcare leadership, guiding both private sector innovation and national strategies during some of the most challenging moments in recent medical history. He rose to prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic for directing Morocco’s vaccine procurement and rollout plan, a campaign that became one of the most efficient in Africa and turned the country into a model of healthcare readiness and resilience.
Machour spent his early years between Errachidia and Rabat, where he showed a strong interest in science and analytical thinking. He completed his secondary education at Lycée Tarik Ibn Ziyad in Azrou and earned his Baccalauréat in Experimental Sciences. In 1980, he moved to Canada to continue his education, where he pursued a Bachelor of Science in Physics at the University of Montreal, followed by a Master of Science in Nuclear Physics from Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec. Later in his professional life, he completed the General Management Program at Harvard Business School and additional executive programs at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and Harvard Medical School. His education combined scientific depth with business and policy insight, creating a foundation that shaped his unique leadership in the biopharmaceutical industry.
With a career spanning more than three decades, Machour has worked with some of the most influential names in global healthcare, including Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson and Johnson, Becton Dickinson, and Boehringer Ingelheim. In these companies, he led functions that included global operations, supply chain strategy, quality systems, and regulatory compliance. These experiences gave him a strong understanding of how large-scale health manufacturing operates and how global standards can be aligned to serve both innovation and access. His reputation as a leader who could connect technical precision with strategic vision grew rapidly, earning him respect across continents.
One of the most significant moments in his corporate career came during his time at the Swiss multinational Lonza Group. He played a key role in the early discussions that led to Lonza’s historic five and a half billion dollar acquisition of Capsugel, the largest in the company’s history. His involvement in shaping the strategic dialogue that made this deal possible helped expand Lonza’s reach in pharmaceutical development and delivery systems, further solidifying its position as a world leader in biologics manufacturing.
In 2019, Machour joined Samsung Biologics in South Korea as Executive Vice President and Chief Quality Officer. He later became a member of the company’s Executive Committee and oversaw quality assurance, quality control, and global regulatory compliance across all production sites. Under his leadership, Samsung Biologics grew into one of the world’s largest biologics contract development and manufacturing organizations. Machour focused on strengthening quality systems, ensuring continuous inspection readiness from agencies such as the United States Food and Drug Administration, the European Medicines Agency, and Japan’s Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency. His focus on operational integrity and global compliance helped the company achieve recognition as a benchmark of excellence in biopharmaceutical production.
When the COVID-19 pandemic created a worldwide vaccine shortage in 2020, Machour stepped forward to assist Morocco’s national response. Working closely with the Moroccan government, he led efforts to negotiate, source, and deliver vaccines from global manufacturers. His guidance allowed Morocco to launch its vaccination campaign on January 28, 2021, ahead of most African and many Western nations. Within weeks, Morocco achieved one of the highest per capita vaccination rates on the continent, an achievement that contributed to lower hospitalization and mortality rates. His leadership during that time not only saved lives but also demonstrated how strategic organization and scientific understanding could combine to produce real public health impact.
Beyond the immediate success of the vaccination campaign, Machour presented a long-term vision to King Mohammed VI for Morocco’s vaccine and biologics manufacturing independence. This proposal led to the creation of one of Africa’s largest vaccine fill and finish facilities, marking an important step toward healthcare sovereignty and reducing the country’s dependence on imported medicines.
Machour continues to apply his expertise through Bio Investments Group, where he serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, the company focuses on localizing the development and production of vaccines, biologics, and diagnostic technologies across Africa and the Middle East. It partners with governments and industry leaders to transfer advanced technology, establish regional manufacturing centers, and strengthen local healthcare systems. Under Machour’s direction, Bio Investments Group has become a driving force for health self-reliance and sustainability in the Global South.
In addition to his work at Bio Investments Group, Machour is the Executive Chairman of Altruist Biologics, based in Hangzhou, China. The company is one of Asia’s largest integrated biologics platforms, providing contract development, manufacturing, and innovation partnerships for global clients. Through his leadership, Altruist Biologics has expanded its international collaborations and reinforced its role as a critical contributor to the global biopharmaceutical supply chain.
Outside of his corporate achievements, Machour is deeply involved in education and philanthropy. He lives in Seoul, South Korea, and devotes significant time to mentoring young professionals and supporting health equity initiatives. In 2007, while attending Harvard Business School, he founded Executives Without Borders, a nonprofit organization that applies business knowledge to solve humanitarian and development challenges. One of its most successful initiatives, the Ramase Lajan project in Haiti, created a community recycling network that generated more than one thousand jobs, reduced plastic waste, and improved sanitation conditions. The project has been recognized internationally as a model of sustainable social enterprise.
Machour also serves on the Advisory Board of George Mason University Korea. In 2022, he established the Sam Machour Scholarship Endowment to help talented students from underrepresented backgrounds pursue higher education. This initiative reflects his belief that education is the foundation for equality and social progress, values that have guided much of his professional and charitable work.
His influence in healthcare and development has been recognized by leading international outlets such as Bloomberg, Reuters, and the South China Morning Post. In 2018, he received the Top 50 Healthcare Leaders Award at the Smart Health Conference in Dubai, honoring his contributions to pharmaceutical innovation and manufacturing leadership.
Samir Machour’s life and work represent a rare combination of scientific expertise, corporate leadership, and humanitarian purpose. From his early studies in Morocco to his global roles in Asia and Europe, he has dedicated his career to building systems that make healthcare more resilient and accessible. His ongoing mission to strengthen health sovereignty continues to shape the future of global medicine and stands as a model of how visionary leadership can turn science into lasting progress for humanity.
