Gland Pharma in pact with RDIF to produce 252 million doses of Sputnik V

HYDERABAD: The Russian sovereign wealth fund Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) has entered into a pact with Hyderabad-based Gland Pharma for manufacturing 252 million (25.2 crore) doses of Russian Covid-19 vaccine Sputnik V.
The production of Sputnik V is expected to commence from the third quarter of 2021 at its facilities in Hyderabad for estimated delivery starting from the fourth quarter of 2021, Gland Pharma said in a regulatory filing with the bourses.
“Under the terms of the agreement, Gland Pharma will first undertake technology transfer of the drug substance to its manufacturing facilities. After successful technology transfer, Gland Pharma will then undertake manufacturing of drug substance and drug product filling into vials under aseptic conditions,” it said in the regulatory filing.
The company also said its expertise in manufacturing sterile injectables at a significant scale will support in establishing a stable supply of Covid-19 vaccines.
The pharma company, which was set up by PVN Raju in 1978 but is now majority-owned by China’s Fosun Pharma, said it will be leveraging its manufacturing capabilities for the production of Sputnik V.
Gland Pharma said this is the first of multiple partnerships being explored by the company to leverage its manufacturing capacity and capabilities to support the global supply of Covid-19 vaccine and will see it utilise its drug substance and drug product facilities at its sites in Hyderabad.
Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, which joined hands with RDIF in September 2020 for conducting Phase II/III clinical trials and distribution of 100 million doses of the vaccine in India, has already applied to the Indian drug regulator for emergency use approval (EUA) for Sputnik V.
RDIF has also tied up with Hyderabad-based Hetero Drugs for manufacturing of 100 million doses of Sputnik V.