Dr Reddy’s Labs seek emergency-use approval for Sputnik-V COVID-19 vaccine

Indian Pharmaceutical giant, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, is now seeking emergency-use approval for Russia’s Sputnik-V vaccine in the country.

The Sputnik-V vaccine is Dr Reddy’s joint operation with the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), which has been working for months now to put the vaccine into use. The vaccine, in late-stage trials in Russia, has proven to be 91.6% effective against the COVID-19 virus.

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The safety profile of the vaccine, which has been developed by Moscow’s Gamaleya Institute, from a mid-stage study and the interim data from a late-stage trial will be presented by the drug maker by February 21, according to the pharmaceutical.

Sputnik V has shown commercial success as it as already been authorized and registered in nearly 30 countries. Once granted approval, it will be the vaccine with the highest efficacy percentage among all the vaccines currently underuse in India.

The Oxford-developed vaccine, which is currently being manufactured by the Pune-based Serum Institute of India, has an efficacy rate of only 60% which is far behind the Sputnik-V vaccine whereas the vaccine developed by Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech has not yet released any data on the efficacy and safety of its vaccine branded ‘Covaxin’.