NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA / RankWire.AI / – Moderna has commenced a Phase 1 clinical trial testing an experimental vaccine targeting Bundibugyo ebolavirus in Canada, with the first participant receiving the mRNA-1469 shot on August 3 at a facility in Truro, Nova Scotia. This development occurs amidst the continued spread of the virus across multiple provinces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which the World Health Organization has designated as a public health emergency of international concern.
The trial will be conducted at three locations across Canada, enrolling approximately 80 healthy adults to evaluate the vaccine’s safety, tolerability, and capacity to induce an immune response. It is important to note that this Phase 1 study will not determine the vaccine’s effectiveness in preventing infection, as early safety and tolerability are the primary focus at this stage. The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations has pledged up to $50 million to support preclinical research, the trial itself, and the production of additional research doses.
WHO reported a total of 3,605 confirmed cases and 1,587 deaths in DR Congo as of July 30, with at least 651 patients noted to have recovered by that date. Updated figures provided by CEPI on August 4 indicated that infections had surpassed 3,800 and deaths exceeded 1,700. The outbreak has affected 49 health zones across the provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uélé, and Tshopo, with 33 zones reporting recent infections. Notably, Ituri accounts for 88% of all confirmed cases.
Outbreak Highlights Vaccine Shortage
On May 17, WHO declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, marking the 17th Ebola outbreak identified in DR Congo since scientists first isolated the virus in 1976. The current outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain, which has previously caused outbreaks in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Currently, there are no approved vaccines or specific treatments targeting this particular Ebola species, as licensed vaccines primarily target Zaire ebolavirus, a different member of the virus family.
Bundibugyo ebolavirus spreads through direct contact with infected blood, body fluids, organs, or contaminated materials. In response, public health teams have expanded efforts in laboratory testing, contact tracing, clinical care, and infection control measures. As of July 30, authorities had identified 17,863 contacts for monitoring, and WHO also reported 151 confirmed infections among healthcare workers, including 44 fatalities. Ongoing conflict, displacement, and attacks on health facilities have hampered access and response efforts in several affected regions.
Multiple Vaccine Candidates Enter Clinical Evaluation
Following Moderna’s efforts, a separate Phase 1 vaccine trial was launched by the University of Oxford, with their first volunteer vaccinated on July 24 using a candidate based on the ChAdOx1 platform. The Serum Institute of India manufactured the Oxford vaccine, producing approximately 620,000 stockpiled doses and supplying 4,000 investigational doses for clinical trials. Both programs receive support from CEPI as part of its efforts to develop a vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain.
Moderna’s candidate, mRNA-1469, employs the same underlying technology platform as the company’s COVID-19 vaccine. In addition, CEPI supports two other candidates based on recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus technology; one developed by IAVI with manufacturing led by Hilleman Laboratories, and another developed by Public Health Vaccines. None of these candidates has yet received regulatory approval for public use. WHO emphasizes that surveillance, rapid diagnosis, patient care, safe burials, and community engagement remain essential components for managing and controlling the outbreak.