Serum Institute Gets DCGI Nod for Sputnik V Production 

The Serum Institute of India has got permission from the DCGI to make Russia's Covid-19 vaccine Sputnik-V. Adar Poonawalla's company will first test, analyse and then manufacture the vaccine at Pune.

The DCGI has given preliminary approval for the SII which means it can develop and manufacture the vaccine for testing purpose and not sell it.

The first dose of Sputnik V was administered in Hyderabad on May 14 as part of a soft launch by Dr Reddy's Laboratories.

However, the Sputnik V was only confined for emergency use. Presently, the imported dose of the vaccine costs Rs 995 in India.

Deepak Sapra, the CEO of Dr Reddy's said, "The possibility of Sputnik light depends on approval from the regulator and on the dialogue which we have with them and on the guidance we receive from the regulator."