Gamaleya to apply for EUA, withdraws clinical trials for Sputnik V vaccine in PH

Russia’s Gamaleya Research Institute has decided to withdraw from conducting clinical trials in the Philippines for its COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said on Friday, Jan. 8.

“Itong linggo lang na ito, they formally informed us, ang DOST at tsaka po ang technical group on evaluation, na wini-withdraw na po nila yung kanilang application for clinical trial (Gamaleya has informed this week the DOST and the technical group on evaluation that it is withdrawing from conducting clinical trials in the Philippines),” said DOST Assistant Secretary for International Cooperation Leah Buendia during the Laging Handa Briefing.

“They will apply for EUA (Emergency Use Authorization) na lang po,” Buendia said.

Meanwhile, Buendia said, Chinese firm Sinopharm has yet to decide whether to proceed with clinical trials or apply for EUA.

“Sa ngayon po ay wala pa silang final decision kung sila ba ay magkoconduct ng clinical trial or sila ay mag-apply ng EUA or Emergency Authorization (It has yet to make a final decision whether to have clinical trials or ask for EUA),” the assistant secretary said.

So far, Buendia said the country has already signed a confidentiality disclosure agreement with Sinopharm.

Recently, the Russian government assured that Sputnik V is 96 percent effective and would be easier to store.

The Russian government had revealed as early as August last year the development of Sputnik V as a vaccine against COVID-19.