India to produce 300 million doses of Sputnik V: RDIF

Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) head Kirill Dmitriev informed that production of Sputnik V has already started in other countries like Korea, Brazil and China and India will produce about 300 million doses of Russian coronavirus vaccine candidate Sputnik V in 2021.

New Delhi: India will produce about 300 million doses of Russian coronavirus vaccine candidate Sputnik V in 2021, the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) said on Friday. He added that arrangements with four large manufacturers have been done and 10 production sites have been chosen for the same.

RDIF head Kirill Dmitriev informed that production of Sputnik V has already started in other countries like Korea, Brazil and China.

Based on data analysis of the final control point of clinical trials of Sputnik V confirmed that the vaccine has 91.4 per cent efficacy. The calculations were based on the analysis of data of volunteers who received both the first and second doses of the vaccine or placebo at the third and final control point of 78 confirmed cases in accordance with the phase III clinical trial protocols.

In India, Dr Reddy's laboratories and RDIF have initiated adaptive Phase II and III clinical trials.

Interestingly, Dr Reddy's has also approached India's drug regulator, Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) for emergency use authorisation of its vaccine.

Two other domestic Pharma giants, Serum Institute of India (SII) and Bharat Biotech have also approached for emergency authorisation of their COVID-19 vaccine candidate.

Russia became the first country to register the world's first COVID-19 vaccine on August 11, Sputnik V, named after Russia's first satellite.