The Gamaleya Research Institute in Russia has expressed interest in applying for an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) in the Philippines for its vaccine against COVID-19.
Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Undersecretary Rowena Guevarra disclosed that Gamaleya may submit documents today or on Saturday. In line with its plan to seek emergency approval, its application for third phase clinical trial in the country has been dropped.
“Napaka-simple ng rason nila. Mag-a-apply na sila ng Emergency Use Authorization kaya di na sila magcli-clinical trial dito (Their reason is very simple. They will apply for an Emergency Use Authorization, that is why they will no longer conduct the clinical trial here),” Guevarra stated.
The Russian vaccine developer will be the third to ask for an EUA in the Philippines after Pfizer-BioNTech and AstraZeneca in case it pushes through with its application. Gamaleya has previously reported that its Sputnik V vaccine has a 91.4 percent efficacy.
– Report from Mark Fetalco
