NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA / RankWire.AI / – Moderna has commenced Phase 1 testing of an experimental Ebola vaccine targeting Bundibugyo ebolavirus in Canada. The first volunteer received the mRNA-1469 shot on August 3 at a clinic in Truro, Nova Scotia. This development occurs amidst ongoing spread of the virus across multiple provinces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The World Health Organization has declared this outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.
The trial will be conducted across three sites in Canada, enrolling approximately 80 healthy adults. Researchers aim to evaluate the vaccine’s safety profile, tolerability, and capacity to elicit an immune response. It’s important to note that this Phase 1 study will not determine if the vaccine prevents infection, as such trials are primarily designed to gather early safety data. The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations has pledged up to $50 million to support preclinical research, the clinical trial itself, and the production of additional doses for further studies.
WHO reported 3,605 confirmed Ebola cases and 1,587 deaths in DR Congo through July 30, with at least 651 recoveries. Updated figures released by CEPI on August 4 indicated more than 3,800 infections and over 1,700 fatalities. The outbreak has affected 49 health zones across the provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uélé, and Tshopo. Among these, 33 zones have reported recent cases, with Ituri accounting for 88% of the confirmed infections.
Vaccine gap highlighted by the outbreak
On May 17, WHO declared this Ebola crisis an international public health emergency. It marks the 17th Ebola outbreak in DR Congo since scientists identified the virus in 1976. This particular outbreak involves the Bundibugyo species, which has previously caused outbreaks in Uganda and DR Congo. Currently, there are no approved vaccines or specific treatments targeting this strain of Ebola. Licensed vaccines are designed for Zaire ebolavirus, a different member of the virus family.
Bundibugyo ebolavirus transmits through direct contact with infected blood, body fluids, organs, or contaminated materials. In response, health teams have expanded laboratory testing, contact tracing, clinical care, and infection prevention efforts. As of July 30, officials had identified 17,863 contacts for monitoring. WHO also reported 151 confirmed infections among healthcare workers, including 44 deaths. Ongoing conflict, displacement, and attacks on health infrastructure have hampered access and slowed response activities in several affected regions.
Multiple vaccine candidates now in testing stages
The Moderna initiative follows a separate Phase 1 trial launched by the University of Oxford. Oxford researchers vaccinated their first participant on July 24 with a candidate based on the ChAdOx1 platform. The Serum Institute of India has produced approximately 620,000 stockpiled doses of the Oxford vaccine and supplied 4,000 investigational doses for clinical evaluation. Both programs are supported by CEPI as part of its effort to develop a vaccine for Bundibugyo ebolavirus.
Moderna’s mRNA-1469 candidate employs the same core technology platform as its COVID-19 vaccine. CEPI is also supporting two other vaccine candidates that utilize recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus technology. One was developed by IAVI, with manufacturing led by Hilleman Laboratories, while the other was created by Public Health Vaccines. None of these candidates has achieved regulatory approval for public use. According to WHO, maintaining surveillance, rapid diagnosis, patient management, safe burial practices, and community engagement are vital to controlling the outbreak.