First Human Trial of Bundibugyo Ebola Vaccine Begins

The world’s first clinical trial of a vaccine targeting the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola has begun, marking a milestone in efforts to contain an outbreak that has killed more than 700 people in central Africa. The early-stage trial will enroll 50 healthy adults to assess the vaccine’s safety and immune response.

The Serum Institute of India said it has already manufactured and stockpiled about 620,000 doses of the experimental shot in anticipation of later-stage trials and potential emergency use if it proves effective.

The vaccine uses the same chimpanzee adenovirus platform as the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 shot and was developed with funding from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations. The Serum Institute of India supplied 4,000 doses for the phase-1 study.

The trial is beginning 57 days after the World Health Organization declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighboring Uganda a public health emergency of international concern.

“The outbreak continues to devastate affected communities, underlining the urgent need for effective vaccines and treatments.”

There are no approved vaccines or specific treatments for the Bundibugyo virus. Existing licensed Ebola vaccines target the Zaire strain and are not approved against Bundibugyo.

Even if the Bundibugyo vaccine succeeds, it is unlikely to alter the course of the current outbreak in the near term. Early-stage clinical trials are not an immediate solution for communities facing the outbreak today, said Jean Kaseya, director-general of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

A modeling study released ahead of peer review on Monday found that quickly identifying Ebola cases and tracing contacts would reduce deaths more than ring vaccination if the existing Ebola vaccine provides only limited protection against the Bundibugyo strain.