Serum Institute inks pact with RDIF to supply Sputnik V vaccine from September

The Serum Institute of India (SII) and the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) Tuesday introduced plans to begin producing the Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine in India from September.
Russia’s sovereign wealth fund, which is selling the vaccine globally, mentioned the plan was to supply over 300 million doses of the vaccine per yr in India.

“Strategic partnership between RDIF & Serum Institute of India is a major step to substantially increase vaccine production capabilities demonstrating a perfect example of joining forces and expertise to save lives both in India and around the world” – RDIF CEO Kirill Dmitriev pic.twitter.com/ztHgpeaVws
— Sputnik V (@sputnikvaccine) July 13, 2021
“As part of the technical transfer process, SII has already received cell and vector samples from the Gamaleya Center. With their import approved by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI), the cultivation process has begun,” the RDIF mentioned in a press release.
Expressing delight over the partnership, Adar Poonawalla, CEO of SII, mentioned that accessibility of the Sputnik V vaccine in full measure is essential. “We hope to make millions of doses in the coming months with trial batches starting in the month of September. With high efficacy and a good safety profile, it is critical that the Sputnik vaccine is accessible in full measure for people across India and the world,” Poonawala mentioned.

“Given the uncertainty of the virus, it is important for international institutes, and governments to collaborate and further bolster up our fight against the pandemic,” he added.
Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the RDIF, additionally mentioned that the partnership is a significant step to considerably improve manufacturing capabilities.

“This strategic partnership is a major step to substantially increase our production capabilities demonstrating a perfect example of joining forces and expertise to save lives both in India and around the world. With technology transfer underway we expect the first batches of the vaccine to be produced jointly with SII in coming months,” Dmitriev mentioned in a press release.
The Russian vaccine, developed by Gamaleya National Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology in Moscow, was granted emergency use authorisation in India in May.
At current, it’s being manufactured by Hyderabad-based Dr Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd in India. Recently, Dr Reddy’s obtained practically three million doses of Sputnik V from RDIF, with which it has a pact to promote 125 million folks doses (250 million vials) in India.

On Monday, the Hyderabad-based drug maker mentioned it has expanded the pilot undertaking to over 50 different cities and cities within the nation. It added that it’ll strengthen the business rollout of Sputnik V within the coming weeks.
In June, the Centre had fastened the value of the vaccine at Rs 1,145 per dose.
According to outcomes printed in The Lancet, Sputnik V has an efficacy of 91.6 per cent.