Russia to Sell 100 Million Doses of 'Sputnik-V Vaccine' to India: Details

As Moscow speeds up distribution of vaccines abroad, the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and Dr Reddy's Laboratories Limited in India have agreed to cooperate on clinical trials and distribution of Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine in the country.

Dr Reddy's Laboratories Limited is a global pharmaceutical company headquartered in India. "On regulatory approval in India, RDIF shall supply to Dr Reddy's 100 million doses of the vaccine. The Sputnik V vaccine, which is based on well-studied human adenoviral vector platform with proven safety, is undergoing clinical trials for the coronavirus pandemic," Russia's sovereign wealth fund revealed in a statement.

Highlighting about Sputnik V vaccine - it is an adenovirus vector-based vaccine, which was developed by the Gamaleya Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, along with the Russian Direct Investment Fund and registered on August 11.

"The agreement between RDIF and Dr Reddy's reflects the growing awareness of countries and organisations to have a diversified anti-COVID vaccine portfolio to protect their populations," RDIF added in the statement. 

Meanwhile, the Russian Direct Investment Fund further stated that the deliveries could potentially begin in late 2020 subject to completion of successful trials and registration of the vaccine by regulatory authorities in India. 

Earlier in the month, NITI Aayog member, Dr V.K. Paul, had confirmed that the Russian government has sought India's help in manufacturing the Sputnik V vaccine and also to conduct Phase-3 trials or bridging studies in the country.