Global vaccine alliance mobilizes $62 million for Bundibugyo Ebola vaccines

The global vaccine alliance CEPI has cleared three Bundibugyo Ebolavirus vaccine candidates for rapid development and is mobilizing $62 million in funding for this purpose. The funding commitment is intended to accelerate the candidates into clinical trials as the outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo continues to grow.

Moderna is working closely with CEPI on an mRNA-based approach, developing a vaccine specifically targeted against Bundibugyo Ebolavirus. The company is responding to a gap: previous Ebola vaccines protect against other virus strains, but not against Bundibugyo.

Situation in DRC worsens

The situation in the DRC is deteriorating: Over 900 suspected cases and more than 200 deaths have been registered so far. Experts warn of further spread should an effective vaccine not become available quickly. "We must act now," emphasize representatives of health authorities in the region.

The parallel development of multiple candidates follows a proven strategy from previous epidemics: multiple approaches increase the chances that at least one will meet clinical requirements and can be approved quickly. CEPI coordinates collaboration between manufacturers, research institutes, and national health authorities. The total funding of $62 million is distributed across the three candidates and their respective development phases.

The Bundibugyo variant of Ebolavirus is one of six known species and is considered less lethal than Zaire Ebolavirus, which killed over 11,000 people in West Africa between 2014–2016. Nevertheless, the current mortality rate of approximately 22 percent is concerning. Moderna and CEPI expect that initial data from clinical trials could be available within months – significantly faster than traditional vaccine development.