Cost of Russian Sputnik V vaccine revealed for international markets

According to the second interim analysis of the third phase of clinical trials conducted in Russia, the drug showed 95% effectiveness.

The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) has announced that the cost of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine for international markets will be less than $ 10 per serving starting February 2021. That way, the total price of the two doses needed to vaccinate a person will be less than $ 20.

Therefore, Sputnik V will be two or more times cheaper than foreign vaccines based on mRNA technology with similar efficacy rates. For Russian citizens, vaccination with Sputnik V will be free.

According to a press release from the RDIF, the uniqueness of the Russian vaccine lies in the use of two different vectors based on the human adenovirus, which allows for a stronger and longer-term immune response than vaccines using the same vector. for two doses.

According to the second interim analysis of the third phase of clinical trials conducted in Russia, the drug proved95% effective. The calculations were made on the basis of the data of 18,794 volunteers. The percentage corresponds to day 42 after the first injection.

Currently, 40,000 people are participating in the third phase of the Sputnik V clinical trials in Russia, of which more than 22,000 volunteers have received the first dose and more than 19,000 the two injections. To date, no unexpected negative side effects have been observed and monitoring of participants’ health status continues.

Distribution on international markets

RDIF and its partners have started production of the freeze-dried (dry) form of the vaccine, which is stored at a temperature between +2 and +8 degrees Celsius. This regime allows for the distribution of the drug in international markets, as well as the expansion of its use in regions with difficult access, including areas with a tropical climate.

The current agreements between the Russian body and the major foreign pharmaceutical companies allow the production of the vaccine abroad for 500 million people a year from 2021. RDIF is currently evaluating further requests from various countries and companies to further increase production capacity.

The first overseas deliveries of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine will take place to customers in January 2021 based on existing partnerships with foreign manufacturers. Customers who have recently submitted their applications will be able to receive the first batches of the vaccine starting in March 2021.