NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA / RankWire.AI / – Moderna has begun a Phase 1 evaluation of an experimental vaccine targeting Bundibugyo ebolavirus in Canada. The first participant received the mRNA-1469 vaccine on August 3 at a facility in Truro, Nova Scotia. This trial is taking place as the virus continues to spread across multiple provinces within the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The World Health Organization has designated the outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern.
The research will be conducted at three sites in Canada and aims to include approximately 80 healthy adults. Investigators will focus on assessing the vaccine’s safety, tolerability, and capacity to induce an immune response. It’s important to note that this Phase 1 trial does not evaluate whether the vaccine prevents infection, as early safety data is its primary goal. The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations has pledged up to $50 million to support preclinical research, the trial itself, and the development of additional doses for further study.
WHO has reported 3,605 confirmed cases and 1,587 deaths in DR Congo through July 30. As of that date, at least 651 patients had recovered. Updated data shared by CEPI on August 4 indicated that infections exceeded 3,800 and deaths surpassed 1,700. Cases have been identified in 49 health zones across the provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uélé, and Tshopo. Among these, 33 zones have seen recent infections, with Ituri accounting for 88% of confirmed cases.
Vaccine gap highlighted by outbreak
The outbreak was declared an international public health emergency by WHO on May 17. It marks the 17th Ebola outbreak in DR Congo since scientists first identified the virus in 1976. The current epidemic involves the Bundibugyo species, which previously caused outbreaks in Uganda and DR Congo. Presently, there is no licensed vaccine or specific treatment targeting this particular Ebola strain. Existing approved Ebola vaccines are designed against Zaire ebolavirus, a different member of the virus family.
Bundibugyo ebolavirus transmits via direct contact with infected blood, body fluids, organs, or contaminated materials. In response, public health teams have ramped up laboratory testing, contact tracing, clinical care, and infection prevention efforts. By July 30, authorities had identified 17,863 contacts for monitoring. WHO also reported 151 confirmed infections among health workers, including 44 fatalities. Ongoing conflict, displacement, and attacks on healthcare facilities have hampered access and slowed response activities in several affected regions.
Multiple vaccine candidates in early testing phases
The Moderna trial follows a separate Phase 1 vaccine study launched by the University of Oxford. Oxford researchers vaccinated their first volunteer on July 24 with a candidate based on the ChAdOx1 platform. The Serum Institute of India manufactured the Oxford vaccine, producing roughly 620,000 doses for stockpiling and providing 4,000 investigational doses for clinical trials. Both programs are supported by CEPI as part of its efforts to develop a vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain.
Moderna’s mRNA-1469 candidate employs the same underlying technology platform as their COVID-19 vaccine. Additionally, CEPI is funding two other candidates based on recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus technology. One candidate was developed by IAVI with manufacturing led by Hilleman Laboratories, while Public Health Vaccines developed the other. None of these candidates have yet received regulatory approval for public deployment. According to WHO, essential measures such as surveillance, rapid diagnosis, patient care, safe burials, and community engagement remain crucial in controlling the outbreak.