Special wards, research lab set up at

Kanpur's GSVM Medical College for

clinical trials of Russia's Covid vaccine
The Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Medical College in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, is set
to recieve its first batch of Russia's Sputnik-V coronavirus vaccine for clinical
trials as part of the agreement between Dr Reddy's and the RDIF.
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Abhishek Mishra
Kanpur
November 17, 2020
UPDATED: November 17, 2020 20:03 IST

File photo of Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Medical College (GSVM), Kanpur (Picture Courtesy:
Facebook @gsvmmc)
Clinical trials of Russia's Sputnik-V coronavirus vaccine are set to begin at the Ganesh Shankar
Vidyarthi Medical College in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. Preparations are underway at the alma
mater of India's Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan to receive the first batch of Russia's
experimental Covid-19 vaccine.
According to GSVM Medical College officials, the second and third stages of clinical trials for
Russia's Sputnik-V coronavirus vaccine will be conducted at the COVID special centre laboratory
on the premises. The second and third stage of the clinical trials will be conducted only after
official intimation is made in this regard by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) to Dr
Reddy's Laboratory.
Research site selected, waiting for intimation
More than 180 volunteers have signed up for these clinical trials. After they are administered the
Russian Sputnik-V coronavirus vaccine, the volunteers will be monitored for over a month. Use
of the vaccine on these volunteers and their periodic assessment will determine the progress of
the Sputnik-V in keeping Covid-19 at bay.
Speaking to India Today, GSVM Medical College's Principal Dr RB Kamal said the college has
been selected as the research site and is waiting for the official intimation of the trial. The site
selection has been done and the ethical committee of the college has also approved the same.
Dr Saurabh Agarwal from GSVM Medical College's Medicine department will be
heading the clinical trials along with his team. Two separate wards have been set up for the
clinical trials, equipped with a dedicated research laboratory on the premises. Dr Agarwal will
determine the dosage to be given to each volunteer as part of the clinical trials.
ADVERTISEMENT

21-day period for assessment

Once a single dose of Russia's Sputnik-V coronavirus vaccine is administered to a volunteer,
a waiting period of 21 days will follow to determine whether a second dosage is to be given or
not. The effect of the vaccine will be studied for over seven months for any long-term effects.
Upon completion of one month since the administration of the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine
to volunteers, officials will be made aware of its effects and a decision will be taken with respect
to the continuation of the clinical trials.
Russia's Sputnik-V coronavirus vaccine will be kept at temperatures ranging from minus 20
degrees Celsius to below zero degrees Celsius to 70 degrees Celsius.
Data collected as a result of tests conducted on the volunteers will determine the overall
assessment regarding the success of this Covid-19 vaccine candidate.
Special wards, research lab set up at
Kanpur's GSVM Medical College for
clinical trials of Russia's Covid vaccine
The Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Medical College in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, is set
to recieve its first batch of Russia's Sputnik-V coronavirus vaccine for clinical
trials as part of the agreement between Dr Reddy's and the RDIF.
ADVERTISEMENT

Abhishek Mishra
Kanpur
November 17, 2020
UPDATED: November 17, 2020 20:03 IST

File photo of Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Medical College (GSVM), Kanpur (Picture Courtesy:
Facebook @gsvmmc)
Clinical trials of Russia's Sputnik-V coronavirus vaccine are set to begin at the Ganesh Shankar
Vidyarthi Medical College in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. Preparations are underway at the alma
mater of India's Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan to receive the first batch of Russia's
experimental Covid-19 vaccine.
According to GSVM Medical College officials, the second and third stages of clinical trials for
Russia's Sputnik-V coronavirus vaccine will be conducted at the COVID special centre laboratory
on the premises. The second and third stage of the clinical trials will be conducted only after
official intimation is made in this regard by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) to Dr
Reddy's Laboratory.
Research site selected, waiting for intimation
More than 180 volunteers have signed up for these clinical trials. After they are administered the
Russian Sputnik-V coronavirus vaccine, the volunteers will be monitored for over a month. Use
of the vaccine on these volunteers and their periodic assessment will determine the progress of
the Sputnik-V in keeping Covid-19 at bay.
Speaking to India Today, GSVM Medical College's Principal Dr RB Kamal said the college has
been selected as the research site and is waiting for the official intimation of the trial. The site
selection has been done and the ethical committee of the college has also approved the same.
Dr Saurabh Agarwal from GSVM Medical College's Medicine department will be
heading the clinical trials along with his team. Two separate wards have been set up for the
clinical trials, equipped with a dedicated research laboratory on the premises. Dr Agarwal will
determine the dosage to be given to each volunteer as part of the clinical trials.
ADVERTISEMENT

21-day period for assessment

Once a single dose of Russia's Sputnik-V coronavirus vaccine is administered to a volunteer,
a waiting period of 21 days will follow to determine whether a second dosage is to be given or
not. The effect of the vaccine will be studied for over seven months for any long-term effects.
Upon completion of one month since the administration of the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine
to volunteers, officials will be made aware of its effects and a decision will be taken with respect
to the continuation of the clinical trials.
Russia's Sputnik-V coronavirus vaccine will be kept at temperatures ranging from minus 20
degrees Celsius to below zero degrees Celsius to 70 degrees Celsius.
Data collected as a result of tests conducted on the volunteers will determine the overall
assessment regarding the success of this Covid-19 vaccine candidate.