Tech transfer of Russian Covid vaccine Sputnik V kicks off at Indian sites

As the first batch of the Russian Covid-19 vaccine Sputnik V arrives in India for clinical trials, the process of technology transfer is on at partner sites of Hyderabad-based pharma major Dr Reddy’s Laboratories (DRL). According to sources, work is on to develop a new version of this vaccine that can be stored at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius. Currently, the vaccines’ cold storage requirements are -18 degrees Celsius.

 

Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and DRL have tied up for conducting clinical trials of the vaccine candidate in India as well as DRL will also be responsible for distribution of the vaccine here.

 

In September, DRL and RDIF had tied up to conduct clinical trials and distribute the vaccine in India. RDIF will supply 100 million doses to DRL. This production will happen in India at partner sites.

 

According to a DRL spokesperson, technology transfer is happening at partner sites and the batches that have arrived are for clinical trials. The spokesperson said, “Current storage temperature requirement is at -18 degrees Celsius. We are working on the other storage conditions as well.”

 

Sources said within a couple of months a new version of the Sputnik V would be developed that could be stored at a temperature range of 2 to 8 degrees Celsius. The source also said the process of technology transfer had begun at one partner site in India and it would start at another site soon.

 

DRL did not wish to share details on who are the partners for manufacturing the Sputnik V in India. The Hyderabad-based firm has also started working on cold chain solutions for distribution of the vaccine here. The broad plan is to take the vaccine from the manufacturing location to the global distribution centres in insulation boxes and then reefer trucks would carry it to the last mile.

 

Earlier this week, Russian President Vladimir Putin had said Sputnik V could be produced in China and India. He had called for a joint effort by the BRICS countries on the development of Covid-19 vaccines.

 

US vaccine majors Moderna and Pfizer have claimed high efficacy for their respective vaccines this month, Russian Health Ministry, too, has claimed that Sputnik V has proven to be 92 per cent efficacious among a group of volunteers who were part of phase 3 trials.