Russia keen on partnering with India in producing Covid-19 vaccine Sputnik V

In an interview with India Today, Dmitriev said India has the manufacturing capability to mass produce the vaccine and hence Russia is interested in bringing India on board.

In the interview, he said Russia is in touch with Indian regulators and also manufacturers to produce the vaccine in India, adding India, Indian scientists and Indian manufacturers understand Russian technology.

Russia is going to partner with 20 countries, including UAE, Saudi Arabia, Brazil for the phase 3 trial, and India may also be a part of this, Dmitriev has said, according to media reports.

More than five countries will be involved in manufacturing the vaccine, he said, adding that there is a high demand for the vaccine from Asia, Latin America, Italy and other parts of the world.

He pointed out that the manufacturing partnerships will play a crucial role in covering the demand for the vaccine.

"We want to make this vaccine affordable and accessible with production partners around the world," the RDIF chief was quoted as saying by India Today.

However, Dmitriev dismissed fears expressed over fast regulatory approval before the phase 3 trial which involves thousands of participants considered essential precursors.

"The vaccine is safe and reliable. I have been inoculated along with my entire family, including my 90-year old parents. Our target is to inoculate 40 million people in Russia," he told India Today.

"The vaccine platform has been developed over the last six years and hence has no side effects," he maintained.

Dmitriev also dismissed WHO's statement that Sputnik V is not among the nine vaccines that it considers in advanced stages.

He said Russia does not need WHO's approval to manufacture and distribute Sputnik V.

"The WHO is changing its language on accepting Sputnik V. Countries do not need WHO clearance to procure the vaccine. It needs to be authorised by the domestic regulator," he said, quoted India Today.