Russian made Covid-19 vaccine Sputnik V to begin human trials in India

Russian made Covid-19 vaccine Sputnik V is to begin its human trials in India in the middle of this week. The officials have announced that all necessary measures that grants the approval of the vaccine for human trials have been completed.

Dr. VK Paul, member of Niti Aayog had also confirmed that the trials would begin this week and the plan is to conduct both phase 1 and 2 as a combined trial. Sputnik V vaccine was developed by Gamaleya National Centre of Epidemiology and Microbiology institute based in Moscow.

For trials and distribution of the vaccine within the country, the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) has signed a deal with the multinational pharmaceutical company in Hyderabad, Dr Reddy's Laboratories. Russia is the first country to have granted regulatory approval for the vaccine against the novel corona virus.

RDIF will supply Dr Reddy's laboratories with 100 million doses of vaccine and it has also reached an agreement with the Indian manufacturers to produce 300 shots of vaccine in India.

Sputnik V has also applied to the World Health Organization (WHO) for the licence to use the vaccine on a global level as an emergency vaccine against the virus. Biological E vaccine is also in its initial phases of human trials. In India around five vaccines are progressing in their development and four among them are in phase 2 and 3 trials.