India to produce 200 million doses of Sputnik V

The developer of Russia’s Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine said Friday it had signed a partnership with an India-based drugmaker for the production of 200 million doses of the two-dose jab. 

The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), which backed the development of Sputnik V, said in a statement it had partnered with Stelis Biopharma “to produce and supply a minimum of 200 million doses of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine.”

Stelis Biopharma is expected to be able to start supplying the vaccine from the second half of the year. 

RDIF, added that Stelis – the biopharma unit of global pharmaceutical company Strides – will work with the Russian wealth fund to provide supplies “beyond the initial agreement.” 

RDIF head Kirill Dmitriev said that the “significant vaccine volumes” produced with Stelis “will help widen access to the vaccine on a global scale.”