Russian Clinics Making a Trial Combining Sputnik and Astra Zeneca

Source: Sputnik V Official website

Russia has approved clinical trials of a coronavirus vaccine combination combining its Sputnik V and that of the Anglo-Swedish pharmaceutical AstraZeneca, which will continue until next spring.

According to an entry in Russia’s national drug registry published Monday, five Russian facilities will hold AstraZeneca and Sputnik V studies involving 150 patients, with testing ending up in early March 2022.

Both the Sputnik V and AstraZeneca vaccines are two-component adenovirus vector vaccines. Sputnik V’s two dosages employ two distinct viral vectors.

The creators of Sputnik V hope that mixing it with other vaccinations would improve its effectiveness against the virus, particularly extremely infectious new variants.

However, in late May, the Russian Health Ministry’s ethics council denied clearance for Phase Two and Phase Three clinical studies of the Sputnik V/AstraZeneca combo.

The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), Sputnik V’s worldwide marketer, applauded the approval of the collaborative clinical studies, noting that comparable “vaccine cocktail” trials have been conducted in the UAE, Argentina, and Azerbaijan since February.

Because of its capacity to be transported at regular fridge temperatures, the AstraZeneca-Oxford University vaccine, known as AZD2816, is viewed as a less expensive and more mobile alternative to its competitors.

The total effectiveness of the AstraZeneca vaccine in avoiding Covid-19 symptoms after two doses was estimated to be 70%, compared to 91.6 percent for Sputnik V.