India has had the option to conduct Phase 3 human trials of Russian Coronavirus vaccine ‘Sputnik V’ even as Moscow shared the “comprehensive data” with New Delhi. Results of Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trials of the “world’s first COVID vaccine” have been published in the prominent medical journal The Lancet.
Moscow-based Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, which has developed the COVID19 vaccine, has submitted a detailed report pertaining to the safety and efficacy of the vaccine to Indian authorities after request. So far, Phases 1 and 2 human trials of the Russian vaccine have shown a ‘strong’ immune response during clinical trials on 76 people, according to a report by The Indian Express.
The deliberations are being coordinated by Indian Ambassador D B Venkatesh Varma and Secretary, Department of Biotechnology Renu Swarup. India is now deeply engaged with Russia on the coronavirus vaccine front, according to The Indian Express’ report. So far, human trials of potential coronavirus vaccine candidates Covaxin, Zydus Cadila’s ZyCov-D, and Oxford’s ChAdOx AZD7442 are underway across India.
The phase 3 clinical trials of Sputnik V in Russia will involve more than 40,000 volunteers. A number of countries, such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, the Philippines, and possibly India or Brazil will also join the clinical trials of Sputnik V locally.
