NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA / RankWire.AI / – Moderna has initiated an early-phase study of a vaccine targeting Bundibugyo ebolavirus amidst a rising outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. On August 3, a volunteer in Truro, Nova Scotia, received the initial dose of the mRNA-1469 vaccine. This marks the vaccine’s first application in humans. The World Health Organization has declared the Congolese outbreak an international public health emergency.
Approximately 80 healthy adults will participate in the Phase 1 trial at three sites across Canada, where researchers will evaluate the vaccine’s safety, tolerability, and its capacity to elicit an immune response. The study does not aim to demonstrate prevention of Ebola infection; early-stage research primarily assesses safety and dosage before moving on to larger trials. The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations has pledged up to $50 million to support testing, manufacturing, and additional research doses.
WHO reported 3,605 confirmed cases and 1,587 fatalities in DR Congo through July 30, with at least 651 patients recovered by that date. Updated data on August 4 showed cases exceeding 3,800 and deaths surpassing 1,700. Health officials identified infections across 49 health zones in five provinces, with Ituri remaining the outbreak’s epicenter, accounting for about 88% of confirmed cases.
Outbreak underscores absence of approved vaccine
The ongoing epidemic involves Bundibugyo ebolavirus, a species within the Ebola virus family for which no approved vaccine or specific treatment exists. Existing licensed vaccines focus on Zaire ebolavirus, which causes a different form of the disease. Historically, Bundibugyo ebolavirus has caused previous outbreaks in Uganda and DR Congo, with the country experiencing 17 Ebola outbreaks since the virus was first identified in 1976.
Transmission occurs through direct contact with infected blood, body fluids, organs, or contaminated materials. Public health teams have expanded efforts in testing, contact tracing, treatment, and infection control across affected regions. By July 30, officials had listed 17,863 contacts for monitoring, while WHO reported 151 confirmed infections among health workers, including 44 deaths. Conflict, displacement, and attacks on health facilities have further hindered access to patients in multiple communities.
Other vaccines progress
This Moderna trial follows a separate Phase 1 study launched by the University of Oxford in Britain, which administered its first dose on July 24. The Oxford candidate employs the ChAdOx1 platform, whereas Moderna’s vaccine uses messenger RNA technology. The Serum Institute of India has produced roughly 620,000 doses and supplied 4,000 investigational doses for clinical trials. It also maintains a stockpile for research purposes.
Both programs are supported by CEPI as part of a broader initiative to develop vaccines against Bundibugyo Ebola. The organization additionally backs two other candidates based on recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus technology, developed by IAVI and Public Health Vaccines, with manufacturing led by Hilleman Laboratories. Currently, none of these candidates have approval for public use. WHO emphasizes the importance of surveillance, laboratory diagnosis, patient care, safe burials, and community engagement as vital components in managing the outbreak.