The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), Egypt’s Minapharm, the regional leader in recombinant DNA technology, and its Berlin-based subsidiary ProBioGen AG announce the agreement to produce over 40 million doses per year of the world’s first registered vaccine against COVID-19, Sputnik V.

The parties intend to commence technology transfer immediately. The rollout of the vaccine is expected in Q3, 2021.

RDIF and Minapharm will initially supply over 40 million doses per year. Production will take place in Minapharm’s biotech facility in Cairo for global distribution.

Minapharm’s German subsidiary, ProBioGen AG, aims to undertake efforts for process optimisation to further increase the production scale taking advantage of its expertise in viral vector technology and manufacturing process development for vaccines and gene therapy.

Kirill Dmitriev, CEO, Russian Direct Investment Fund, commented: “Agreement with Minapharm marks our first partnership in MENA region to produce Sputnik V. RDIF is in cooperation with the leading pharmaceutical producers globally as Sputnik V is registered in 61 countries.”

Wafik Bardissi, Chairman and CEO, Minapharm, added, “This agreement is a natural expansion to Minapharm’s regional leadership in biotechnologies, capitalising on the vast international experience in cellular engineering and adenoviral vector technology of its wholly owned German subsidiary ProBioGen AG. We are pleased to join the RDIF in combatting the global COVID-19 pandemic.”