Moderna receives $50 million for Bundibugyo Ebola vaccine

Moderna has received $50 million in funding to advance the development of a vaccine against Bundibugyo Ebolavirus. The biotechnology firm is working closely with CEPI, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, which develops vaccines against emerging diseases.

The partnership comes at a critical time: the ongoing Bundibugyo Ebolavirus outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has already caused over 900 suspected cases and more than 200 deaths. CEPI has released three vaccine candidates for rapid development to shorten the time to clinical application.

Faster development through mRNA technology

Several vaccines and treatments are currently in development to respond to the outbreak. The funding for Moderna underscores the urgency with which the global health community is responding to the epidemic. The mRNA technology that Moderna uses in vaccine development enables faster development cycles than traditional methods.

The collaboration between Moderna and CEPI demonstrates how established biotechnology companies and international health organizations work together in crisis situations. Such partnerships are crucial to rapidly move vaccines from development to production and ultimately to distribution – especially in regions with limited health resources.