 said they have planned to produce over 300 million doses of vaccine in India per year.){kind=link}
Pune-based Serum Institute of India will produce the Russia-developed-vaccine Sputnik V from September. The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) said they have planned to produce over 300 million doses of vaccine in India per year.
The Technology transfer has already begun with SII receiving cell and vector samples from the Gamaleya Center. The Drug Controller General of India has approved the import and cultivation process has begun, said the RDIF.
Delighted to partner with the RDIF, Serum Institute chief Adar Poonawalla said he hopes to make a million doses of Sputnik V vaccine in the coming months with trial batches starting in the month of September. He said the vaccine would be accessible in full measure with high efficacy and a good safety profile across India and the world.
Given the uncertainty of the virus, Poonawalla added that it is important for international institutes and governments to collaborate and further bolster up the fight against the pandemic.
On the other hand, RDIF CEO Kirill Dmitriev said the strategic partnership is a major step to substantially increase our production capabilities demonstrating a perfect example of joining forces and expertise to save lives both in India and around the world.
The development came when India is trying to ramp up its vaccination efforts to inoculate all the adult population by December. The country is currently struggling to fulfill the requirements of vaccines in various states. Delhi, meanwhile, has shut down several of its vaccine centres as the supply of Covishield is running out, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia has said.