'Cooperation in countering COVID-19 priority of Russia-India bilateral ties': Envoy

As phase 2 and 3 clinical trials for Russia's first registered COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V commenced in India on Tuesday, Ambassador Nikolay Kudashev said comprehensive cooperation in countering Coronavirus spread is a priority of Russia-India bilateral and multilateral strategic partnership.

Dr Reddy’s Laboratories and Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) anunced that adaptive phase 2 and 3 clinical trials for vaccine started on Tuesday. Russia became first country to register world`s first COVID-19 vaccine on August 11.

READ | Russian COVID-19 Vaccine Sputnik V's Phase 2 And 3 Clinical Trials Begin In India

Last month, Russia claimed that its indigeus COVID-19 vaccine showed 92% efficacy against virus as per first interim analysis. So far, at least 100,000 people have received approved and registered drugs based on human adeviral vectors.

" Sputnik V vaccine efficacy amounted to 92% (calculation based on 20 confirmed Covid-19 cases split between vaccinated individuals and those who received placebo)," said RDIF in a statement.

COVID-19 vaccine has been developed by Gamaleya National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology of Russian Healthcare Ministry.

READ | RDIF, Hetero Agree To Produce Over 100 Mn Doses Of Sputnik V Vaccine In India

India to produce over 100 million doses 

Sputnik V vaccine is based on a well-studied human adeviral vector platform that had proven safe and effective with long-term side effects in more than 250 clinical trials globally conducted during past two decades.

On Thursday, vember 26, RDIF anunced that it will produce more than 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V annually in India starting 2021 in collaboration with Hetero Biopharma, one of India’s leading generic pharmaceutical companies.

Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has granted permission to pharmaceutical giant Dr Reddy`s Laboratories for conducting drug trial in country. As per reports, vaccine will be tested in India on 100 volunteers.

READ | COVID-19: India To Produce Over 100 Million Doses Of Russia’s Sputnik V Vaccine

READ | Russia's 'Sputnik V' COVID-19 Vaccine Shows Over 91.4% Efficacy As Per Interim Trial Data

(With inputs from ncy)