COVID-19 vaccine: Indian envoy to Russia lauds talks With Russian Direct Investment Fund

NEW DELHI: Indian companies have asked the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) to provide the technical details of the Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trials of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine, the world’s first registered vaccine against COVID-19, which could allow for production to take place in India for export and domestic use.

"Indian companies are in touch with RDIF regarding vaccines and have asked for technical details about Phase 1 and Phase 2 trials of the vaccine and also for production of vaccines in India for third country exports and production of vaccines for use in India after regulatory clearances," Indian embassy sources told leading Russian media Sputnik.

Indian ambassador to Russia, Venkatesh Varma, told Sputnik that discussions with RDIF CEO Kirill Dmitriev, on the topic of bilateral cooperation on a potential vaccine against COVID-19 were productive, and that he hopes for a positive outcome.


"I had a productive discussion with CEO of RDIF, Kirill Dmitriev and we are hopeful of positive outcome," Varma said.

On Tuesday, Russia became the first country in the world to register a vaccine against COVID-19. The vaccine , which is being produced by the Russian Microbiology Research Center Gamaleya, entered Phase 3 of clinical trials on Wednesday.