The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), the Russian sovereign wealth fund, has entered into a partnership with Indian pharma company Wockhardt Limited for producing and distributing the Sputnik V and Sputnik Light vaccines against Covid-19.

The agreement was signed under the watch of Enso Healthcare, part of Enso Group, which is the coordination partner of RDIF for procuring the Sputnik V vaccines in India.

Vinay Maloo — Chairman of Enso Healthcare said: “It is our privilege to partner with RDIF and Wockhardt to facilitate large scale manufacturing of Sputnik V and Sputnik Light vaccines. Vaccinations are the most visible solution to this pandemic.

“We are proud to be a part of this noble cause. Sputnik V is known to have high efficacy and has emerged as a trusted vaccine.”

Sputnik V, which is based on human adenoviral vectors, uses two different vectors for the two vaccine shots. As a result, it is claimed to give immunity with a longer duration than other Covid vaccines using the same mechanism for the delivery of both shots.

On the other hand, Sputnik Light is the first component of the Sputnik V vaccine, and is based on human adenovirus serotype 26.

Dr. Habil Khorakiwala — Founder Chairman of Wockhardt Group said: “We are delighted to partner with RDIF to make a substantial contribution towards providing global supply of the Sputnik V and Sputnik Light vaccines which is one of the most efficacious approved vaccines commercially available.

“The arrangement upholds our ongoing commitment to fight against such a pandemic of global human importance.”

So far, the Sputnik V Covid vaccine has been registered in 69 countries, covering a total population of more than 3.7 billion people.

The Russian Covid vaccine is said to have 83.1% efficacy against the Delta variant and has shown six times reduction of infection risk. Besides, Sputnik V has also been shown to be 94.4% effective against hospitalizations with 18 times reduction in the risk of getting hospitalized.

  Coronavirus, COVID-19, Dr. Habil Khorakiwala, Enso Group, Enso Healthcare, India, Russia, Russian Direct Investment Fund, Sputnik Light vaccine, Sputnik V vaccine, Vaccines, Vinay Maloo, Wockhardt