Partnership for the supply and production of the Sputnik V vaccine in Ukraine discussed at a meeting between Kirill Dmitriev, Alexander Gintsburg and Victor Medvedchuk

Moscow, December 8, 2020 – Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF, Russia’s sovereign wealth fund), Alexander Gintsburg, Director of The National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology named after N.F. Gamaleya, met with Victor Medvedchuk, Head of the Political Council of the Ukrainian “Opposition Platform – For Life” party and discussed the possible technology transfer and launch of production in Ukraine of the world’s first registered vaccine against coronavirus – Sputnik V.

RDIF and the Gamaleya Center are ready to produce the vaccine in Ukraine and apply for registration by country’s regulators. Production of the vaccine has already been made possible in Ukraine at one of the country's leading pharmaceutical companies, Biolik. Company’s facilities comply with all applicable GMP standards.

Sputnik V is a highly efficient, safe and affordable vaccine. On November 24, the Gamaleya Center and RDIF announced positive results of the second interim data analysis of the largest double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled Phase III clinical trials in Russia’s history, involving 40,000 volunteers. Interim trial results have once again confirmed the high efficacy of the Sputnik V vaccine, the world’s first registered vaccine against coronavirus, which is based on a well-studied platform of human adenoviral vectors. Evaluation of efficacy was carried out among 18,794 volunteers 28 days after receiving the first dose (7 days after the second dose) of the vaccine or placebo upon reaching the second control point of the trial in compliance with the clinical trial protocol. The analysis demonstrated a 91.4% efficacy rate for the Sputnik V vaccine.

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 as compared to vaccines using one and the same vector for two doses. So, preliminary data on volunteers on the 42nd day after the first dose (equivalent to 21 days after the second dose), when they have already formed a stable immune response, indicates the efficacy rate of the vaccine is above 95%.

The cost of one dose of the Sputnik V vaccine for international markets will be less than $10. Sputnik V is a two dose vaccine. Thus, it will cost less than $20 per person, making it more attractive compared to vaccines from other leading global producers.

Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, commented:

“RDIF is committed to cooperating and working together to organize the supply and production of the Sputnik V vaccine, created on a proven platform of human adenoviral vectors, with all interested countries. During our meeting we informed our partners on the efficacy, technological platform and other data regarding the vaccine. We also discussed details for possible production in Ukraine, which will significantly reduce logistics costs. Sputnik V will help save the lives of people in Ukraine and protect them from coronavirus infection at this difficult time for humanity.

We also note some positive changes in the position of our foreign colleagues, in particular in the EU, where it is possible for a member state to approve a vaccine for emergency use on its territory. In addition, Sputnik V may be produced on the territory of an EU member state under the condition of exporting it later outside the European market. When it comes to vaccines, partnership is the only way to overcome the pandemic.”

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Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) is Russia's sovereign wealth fund established in 2011 to make equity co-investments, primarily in Russia, alongside reputable international financial and strategic investors. RDIF acts as a catalyst for direct investment in the Russian economy. RDIF’s management company is based in Moscow. Currently, RDIF has experience of the successful joint implementation of more than 80 projects with foreign partners totaling more than RUB1.9 tn and covering 95% of the regions of the Russian Federation. RDIF portfolio companies employ more than 800,000 people and generate revenues which equate to more than 6% of Russia’s GDP. RDIF has established joint strategic partnerships with leading international co-investors from more than 18 countries that total more than $40 bn. Further information can be found at rdif.ru

For additional information contact:

Arseniy Palagin                                          Andrew Leach / Maria Shiryaevskaya

Russian Direct Investment Fund                Hudson Sandler

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E-mail: arseniy.palagin@rdif.ru