Moderna gets $50 million to develop mRNA Ebola vaccine against Bundibugyo
Summary
The global health group CEPI is giving Moderna $50 million to help create a vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which is causing a large outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Moderna will develop and test an mRNA vaccine and prepare for bigger trials if early results are good. Other organizations are also receiving funding to work on different Ebola vaccine candidates.Key Facts
- CEPI is investing over $60 million to develop three vaccines against Bundibugyo ebolavirus.
- Moderna will get up to $50 million to develop and test an mRNA vaccine for this Ebola strain.
- The vaccine development includes early safety tests (Phase 1) and plans for larger trials (Phases 2 and 3).
- The Bundibugyo strain has caused only three outbreaks; no approved vaccines exist for it yet.
- Two Ebola vaccines currently approved target the Zaire strain, not Bundibugyo.
- CEPI also funds the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative and Oxford/Serum Institute to develop other Ebola vaccines.
- The Ebola outbreak in DRC is severe, with over 1,000 cases and more than 200 deaths reported.
- The outbreak is worsened by regional violence, population movement, and delayed detection.
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