COVID-19 vaccine: Russia seeks India's help in manufacturing, conducting Phase-3 trials, says NITI Aayog's VK Paul

Russia has approached India to consider manufacturing its COVID-19 vaccine through the network of Indian companies and assist in phase-3 studies in India, Dr VK Paul, Member of NITI Aayog (Health), said.

"The vaccine developed by Russia has been under consideration of the country. The Government of Russia approached our government and sought help on two counts- to consider its manufacturing through our network of companies, and phase-3 studies in India," said Paul, reported ANI.

Paul also said, "The government of India attaches great importance to this offer of partnership from a very special friend of this nation, and on both the tracks there has been significant movement."

The development comes after Russia had expressly shown interest in partnering with India to produce the COVID-19 vaccine. Besides, India was among the 20 nations that were interested in being part of Sputnik V’s phase-III trials.

Earlier, on September 7, Kirill Dmitriev, the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, confirmed that the phase-III clinical trials of the Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine will begin in India from September.