Three Ebola Vaccines Developed as Bundibugyo Outbreak Spreads Across DR Congo, Uganda
The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI), the University of Oxford, and pharmaceutical firm Moderna are each progressing separate vaccine candidates against the Bundibugyo Ebola species. This particular strain has only been observed twice previously and currently lacks an approved vaccine, in contrast to the more common Zaire species.
The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) is providing funding for the research, underscoring the urgency of the situation. Dr. Richard Hatchett, CEO of CEPI, stated, "With Bundibugyo virus spreading rapidly and no licensed vaccines, every day counts in the race against this deadly disease."
Vaccine Development Accelerates
IAVI is adapting a modified version of the Zaire Ebola vaccine to target Bundibugyo. Early tests in monkeys demonstrated nearly 100% protection, training the immune system rapidly. Dr. Mark Feinberg, head of IAVI, expressed optimism about the vaccine's potential but noted that clinical trials are seven to nine months away, with efforts to accelerate the timeline.
Moderna has announced its use of mRNA technology, previously deployed in the rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines, for its Bundibugyo candidate. Stéphane Bancel, Moderna's chief executive officer, affirmed the company's commitment to "move with urgency and scientific rigour."
Concurrently, the University of Oxford is leveraging its own vaccine technology, aiming for clinical trials in two to three months. While each vaccine targets the same viral structure – the Bundibugyo glycoprotein – they employ distinct technological approaches. IAVI uses an engineered harmless virus, while Moderna and Oxford deliver genetic code snippets to prompt the body's immune response.
The World Health Organisation's Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, highlighted that a Bundibugyo vaccine could be instrumental in controlling the current epidemic and bolstering preparedness for future outbreaks. The current outbreak includes over 1,000 suspected cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo, alongside the confirmed infections in Uganda.
