New Delhi-based Panacea Biotec has announced details about its contract with the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) for the manufacturing of the SputnikV vaccine.

The Company on Monday began production of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine against COVID-19, said the Russian Direct Investment Fund, which markets the shot internationally.

The first batch made by the Indian manufacturer will be shipped to Gamaleya, the Moscow institute which developed the vaccine, for quality controls, RDIF said in a statement.

Full-scale production is expected to begin this summer, Russian Direct Investment Fund added. Panacea Biotec plans to produce 100 million doses of Sputnik V annually, RDIF said in April.

Registered in 59 countries, Sputnik V in India awaits emergency use authorisation from the subject expert committee (SEC) that advises the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI). The regulator last week deferred a decision on grant of emergency use authorisation.

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