Sputnik V COVID19 vaccine’s production in India to go ‘fully on stream’ in September: RDIF

The Russian sovereign fund also clarified that reports about the delay in Sputnik V's commercial launch in India due to the manufacturing of the second component (or second dose) of the vaccine are incorrect.

Gaon Connection
| Updated: August 3rd, 2021

The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) which looks after the global supply and marketing of the Sputnik V COVID19 vaccine has stated that the production of the Russian vaccine in India will ‘come fully on stream’ next month, in September.

“Production in India is expected to come fully onstream in September and RDIF expects India to become a major production hub for the Sputnik V vaccine with such companies as Serum Institute of India, the world’s biggest vaccine producer, Gland Pharma, Hetero Biopharma, Panacea Biotec, Stelis Biopharma, Virchow Biotech and Morepen Laboratories working to produce the vaccine,” a statement issued by RDIF read.

The Russian sovereign fund also clarified that reports about the delay in Sputnik V’s commercial launch in India due to the manufacturing of the second component (or second dose) of the vaccine are incorrect.

Explained: Why the delay in Sputnik V commercial launch in India?

“Reports about Sputnik V second component production delays in India based on anonymous sources are incorrect. A number of RDIF partners in India have already produced the second component batches, which are undergoing verification at the Gamaleya Center in Russia. Transfer of technology to partners in India is also in process and there is an active exchange between Russian and Indian vaccine production specialists,” RDIF said.

Also Read: Third wave of COVID19 to hit India this month, peak in October: Report

‘Made in India Sputnik V vaccine to be available in September-October’

Meanwhile, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, the Hyderabad-based pharmaceutical company which is in an agreement with RDIF to distribute the Sputnik V vaccine in India in its initial phase, has stated that locally manufactured Sputnik V will be available by September-October.

Also Read: Kerala reports drop in daily COVID19 cases

“We have received 31.5 lakh (3.15 million) doses of component 1 and 4.5 lakh doses of component 2 of the Sputnik V vaccine in India. We are working closely with the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) to ramp up supplies. We are also working closely with our partners in India for manufacturing readiness,” the company was quoted as saying.