Production of the Russian COVID-19 vaccine could begin in Cuba in November, said Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund.
“Cuba has excellent capabilities to manufacture vaccines. We are discussing the launch of the production with several Cuban enterprises, we believe that Cuba can become one of the key centers for the production of vaccines,” said the CEO at a press conference organized by the Rossiya Segodnya media group.
According to Dmitriev, the manufacture of the Russian vaccine in Cuba can begin in November “if we work well with the Cuban government and enterprises.”
This Tuesday the Russian Ministry of Health announced the registration of the first COVID-19 vaccine in the world. The two-vector vaccine, based on human adenovirus, was designed by the Russian Gamaleya Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology. The commercial name of the drug is “Sputnik V,” by analogy with the first artificial satellite launched into orbit by the USSR in 1957.
The vaccine “passed all the necessary safety and efficacy tests” in various animal species, such as rodents and primates, according to the Ministry of Health. The vaccine was also tested in two groups of volunteers, 38 people each.
Dmitriev pointed out this Tuesday that the third stage of trials of the Russian vaccine will begin on Wednesday in Russia and is also scheduled to be carried out in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and the Philippines.
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