In a positive development, Dr Reddy's Laboratories Ltd may reportedly begin the late-stage clinical trials of Russia's Sputnik-V vaccine in the next few weeks.

As per an NDTV report, Deepak Sapra, CEO for API and pharmaceutical services at Dr Reddy's said that the trials will enroll 1,000-2,000 participants and would be conducted at various government and private hospitals throughout the country.

The report quoted him as saying, "We want to get to the first step – which is the commencement of the clinical trials by getting the necessary approvals from the Indian regulators – within the next few weeks."

It should be noted that the trials are a part of an agreement between the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and Dr Reddy's.

Sapra also informed that the Sputnik-V doses supplied in India will likely be a combination of Indian and Russian-made doses.