The Russian company R-Farm plans to release the first batch of coronavirus vaccine for export under license from Oxford University and AstraZeneca, RIA Novosti reports with reference to the general director of the pharmaceutical manufacturer Vasily Ignatiev.
“We are preparing to release the first batch of R-Kovi vaccine in June… The entire volume that will be produced in Russia at our production facilities – and this is several hundred thousand vaccines per month – will be exported,” Ignatiev said.
The founder of R-Farm and chairman of the board of directors of the company Alexei Repik in July 2020 announced an agreement with the AstraZeneca on the production of the drug. It was noted that R-Pharm will provide its technological capabilities and act as a hub for the supply of vaccine to 30-50 countries. Among them are the states of the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Europe.
In December 2020, the Gamalei Center, AstraZeneca, the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and R-Farm signed a memorandum of cooperation. The document involves collaboration in the development and implementation of a clinical research program to evaluate the combined use of one component of the Satellite V and AZD1222 vaccines, developed by AstraZeneca together with the University of Oxford. Studies of the vaccine combination started in February 2021.
