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Coronavirus pandemic

Sputnik V developers to continue cooperation with EU and AstraZeneca

Only a diversified portfolio of vaccines can reduce technology and supply risks, the developers stressed

MOSCOW, January 24. /TASS/. Developers of Russia’s Sputnik V anti-coronavirus vaccine said on Sunday they will continue to work with the European Union and AstraZeneca, a British-Sweden pharmaceutical company, to ensure access to the Russian vaccine and its components across the globe.

"Only a diversified portfolio of vaccines can reduce technology and supply risks. SputnikV, already approved by 12 nations, will continue its work with EU and AstraZeneca to enable access to the Sputnik V vaccine and its components worldwide," as follows from a message posted on the Sputnik V official Twitter account.

"Science not politics should guide us," they stressed.

On January 22, AstraZeneca warned the European Commission about problems with supplies of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine for COVID-19 that is expected to be approved by the European Union before the end of January as the vaccine needs to be adapted to the virus’ new mutations.

On December 1, 2020, the Russian Direct Investment Fund, the Gamaleya Center (the Sputnik V developer), AstraZeneca, and R-pharm, a Russian pharmaceutical company, signed and agreement on the development and implementation of a program of clinical tests of a combination of anti-coronavirus vaccines. The sides agreed to look at a possibility of joint use of the Russian vaccine and AstraZeneca’s AZD1222 to ensure a more lasting protection.

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