Dr Reddys Laboratories, which is in a contract with Russian Direct Investment Fund to trade 125 million people doses (250 million vials) of COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V in India, is holding parleys with RDIF for attaining rights for more countries, a senior official of the Indian drug maker said.
Dr Reddy's which had acknowledged over two lakh vaccines from RDIF, lately soft-launched Sputnik V and teamed up with Apollo Hospitals for piloting the vaccine.
".. we are also in discussions with them (RDIF) about quantities and rights, assets permit for other countries. So, this is the overall view that we have at this stage of Sputnik,” Chief Executive
Officer of Dr Reddys, Erez Israeli stated in a recent Earnings Conference Call.
In August 2020, Russia turned into the world's first country to register a coronavirus vaccine, Sputnik V.
Afterward, in September, Dr Reddy's and RDIF entered into a partnership to conduct clinical trials of Sputnik V, which is developed by the Gamaleya National Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology.
Dr Reddy's Laboratories has received authorization from the Indian drug regulator for restricted emergency use of Sputnik V.
In addition, there are discussions with RDIF for Sputnik light, a single dose vaccine for COVID-19 being advanced in Russia as well as additional engagement for the future for India, Israeli further added.
RDIF has teamed up with six Indian drug makers to manufacture Sputnik V and their supplies are likely to roll out by August or September, he said.
Responding to a query, Israeli said they expecte that the supply of 125 million doses would be proficient within 12 months, if everything is in place.
A senior official of Dr Reddys had prior said they expect to receive about 36 million doses of Sputnik V in a couple of months.
