Russian vaccine maker ties up with Indian firm for supply of 100 million doses of Sputnik-V

New Delhi, Sep 16: 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.

"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.

Sputnik V has been developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology along with the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF). The vaccine has not been tested in phase 3 or larger clinical trials.

Russia became the first country in the world to register a COVID-19 vaccine after less than two months of human testing. Developed by Gamaleya Research Institute and the Russian defence ministry, the vaccine underwent necessary tests, Russia claimed.