Covid-19 Vaccine: Russia To Supply 100 Million Sputnik-V Doses To Dr Reddy's Laboratories In India

Russia Corona Vaccine Sputnik V Update: Russia has agreed to supply 100 million doses of the 'Sputnik-V' COVID-19 vaccine to Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories for trial and distribution in India

(Representative Image/ AFP)

New Delhi: Days after reaching out for collaboration on its Coronavirus vaccine, Russia on Wednesday inked a deal with India's Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories to supply about 100 million doses of its Sputnik-V COVID-19 vaccine for trial and distribution in the country. In an official statement issued in a press release, the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) which is country's sovereign wealth fund, said "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." As per the information so far, the delivery of the Russian made vaccine against the deadly Coronavirus could potentially begin in late 2020 subject to completion of successful trials and registration of the drug by regulatory authorities in India. Russia's COVID-19 vaccine 'Sputnik V' has been developed by the Gamalei National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, and the Russian Defence Ministry. According to a Sputnik News report, Gamaleya National Research Centre director Alexander Gintsburghas claimed that vaccine used inanimate particles created on the basis of adenovirus. He reportedly said that there are no concerns the vaccine could cause any harm to a person's health. Some people naturally have a fever when immune system of the person being vaccinated receives a powerful boost but this "side-effect" can easily be overcome by taking paracetamol, he added. It is worth mentioning that the Indian side is now deeply engaged with Russia based candidate on the vaccine front. Earlier this month, Russia even shared “comprehensive data” on the vaccine’s safety to Indian authorities. The collaboration is being coordinated by Renu Swarup (Biotechnology Department Secretary in India) and D B Venkatesh Varma (Indian Ambassador in Russia).