The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) on Wednesday said it will supply Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories with 100 million doses of the Sputnik-V Covid-19 vaccine for trial and distribution in India. The RDIF, which is Russia’s sovereign wealth fund, said it has agreed to cooperate with Dr.Reddy’s Laboratories on clinical trials and distribution of the vaccine in India. It said the process will start soon after getting regulatory approval. “Upon 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,” RDIF said in a press release. “Deliveries could potentially begin in late 2020 subject to completion of successful trials and registration of the vaccine by regulatory authorities in India,” it added. Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, said: “We are very pleased to partner with Dr.Reddy’s in India. India is amongst most severely impacted countries from Covid-19 and we believe our human adenovirus dual vector platform will provide a safe and scientifically validated option to India in the battle against Covid-19.” GV Prasad, Co-Chairman and Managing Director of Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, stated: “We are pleased to partner with RDIF to bring the vaccine to India. The Phase I and II results have shown promise, and we will be conducting Phase-III trials in India to meet the requirements of the Indian regulators. Sputnik-V vaccine could provide a credible option in our fight against Covid-19 in India.” The Sputnik-V vaccine has been developed by the Gamaleya National Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology on August 11. It was registered by the Ministry of Health of Russia and became the world’s first registered vaccine against Covid-19 based on the human adenoviral vectors platform. However, several medical experts and sceintists around the globe had earlier raised doubts over Russia’s Covid-19 vaccine due to lack of transparency regarding trial data.
