The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and Dr Reddy’s Laboratories will collaborate on clinical trials and distribution of Sputnik V vaccine in India. RDIF will supply Dr Reddy’s 100 million doses of the vaccine, once it receives approval from India’s regulator.
This is the third major alliance on an international Covid-19 vaccine for India. The others being Serum Institute’s supply and distribution deal with AstraZeneca and Oxford University on their vaccine candidate. Serum also has a similar alliance with Novavax. In fact, the Russian sovereign wealth fund indicated that more Indian alliances are in the pipeline.
An RDIF spokesperson told
Reports suggest that Indian drug companies, including Wockhardt, Zydus Cadila, Reliance Life Sciences and Sun Pharma, are on RDIF’s radar. However, there is no independent confirmation from the companies. The agreement between RDIF and Dr Reddy’s reflects the growing awareness of countries and organisations to have a diversified anti-Covid vaccine portfolio to protect their populations, they said in a joint statement.
Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of RDIF, said, RDIF partners will receive an effective and safe drug to fight the coronavirus.”
GV Prasad, DRL’s Co-Chairman and Managing Director said, “Phase I and II clinical trials have shown promising results. We will be conducting Phase-III trials in India to ensure safety and efficacy for the Indian population and to meet the requirements of the Indian regulators. Sputnik V vaccine could provide a credible option in our fight against Covid-19 in India.”