SII wants to produce Sputnik V, seeks indemnity also

Pune based Serum Institute of India (SII) wants to manufacture Covid-19 vaccine Sputnik V in the country. The company has applied  to the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) on Wednesday seeking permission to manufacture the Covid-19 vaccine, Sputnik V, in India. The SII has also sought approval for test analysis and examination. Once the permission comes through, the SII will have to conduct clinical trials. If successful, the SII will become the seventh company to manufacture Sputnik V. Russia's RDIF has already signed agreements with six leading Indian manufacturers including Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Gland Pharma, Hetero Biopharma, Panacea Biotec, Stelis Biopharma and Virchow Biotech for Sputnik V. Dr Reddy's Laboratories is in a pact with the Russian Direct Investment Fund to sell the first 125 million people doses (250 million vials) of Sputnik V in India.

In another development and after Pfizer and Moderna, Serum Institute of India (SII) has asked for indemnity from liability, according to sources. All vaccine makers, whether Indian or foreign, should be granted the same protection, the Adar Poonawalla-led company has reportedly told the government. The Serum Institute produces Covishield - the Indian name for Oxford-AstraZeneca's shot - and is involved in trials for three new anti-Covid vaccines. The government has so far not given any manufacturer indemnity or protection against legal action for any severe side effects.This is a key condition put forth by foreign vaccine-makers Pfizer and Moderna for supplying to India.