MINSK, 8 December (BelTA) – The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and member of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Viktor Medvedchuk discussed cooperation in the supply and production of the Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine in Ukraine, TASS reports.
"RDIF and the Gamaleya National Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology are ready to produce the vaccine in Ukraine and submit documents for its registration by state regulatory authorities. One of the country's leading pharmaceutical companies, BioLik, is ready to produce the finished vaccine form in Ukraine. The company's production facilities comply with all the necessary GMP regulations,” the fund informed.
According to RDIF CEO Kirill Dmitriev, the production of the vaccine in Ukraine could significantly reduce logistics costs. “At the same time, we see a positive change in the position of foreign counterparts, in particular in the EU that allowed distributing the Russian-made vaccine in a member state if this country invokes emergency procedures and keeps the vaccine within its own borders. In addition to that, the Sputnik V vaccine may also be produced in the territory of a EU member state for the subsequent sale outside the European market. Partnership is the only successful way to overcome the pandemic,” he said.
On 24 November RDIF and the Gamaleya National Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology announced positive outcomes of the second interim data analysis of the Phase III clinical trials. All in all, 40,000 volunteers took part in the Phase III double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical post-registration study of the Sputnik V vaccine in Russia. Preliminary data from volunteers obtained 42 days after the first dose (corresponds with 21 days after the second dose) indicates an efficacy of the vaccine above 95%.
The cost of one injection for a foreign national will be less than $10 (one full dose of the vaccine includes two injections).
