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WHO recommends two new Ebola vaccine candidates for DRC outbreak trial – EnviroNews
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The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recommended two new Ebola vaccine candidates for evaluation in an ongoing clinical trial in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), in a move aimed at strengthening efforts to contain the country’s Bundibugyo virus outbreak.
The recommendation, made by WHO-convened expert groups, marks the first time vaccines specifically developed to protect against the Bundibugyo virus will be evaluated during an outbreak of the disease.
The two vaccine candidates are ChAdOx1, developed by the University of Oxford in collaboration with the Serum Institute of India, and mRNA-1469, developed by Moderna.
WHO said its independent Technical Advisory Group on Candidate Vaccine Prioritisation recommended both candidates for further clinical evaluation this week, based on available preclinical and early clinical evidence.
The vaccine developers were informed on Monday, while the candidates are expected to enter the ongoing Tumaini clinical trial following the necessary national approvals.
WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, described the development as evidence of the importance of scientific research and international collaboration in responding to disease outbreaks.
“The fact that these vaccines are ready to enter clinical trials is a testament to the power of science and partnership,” he said.
Tedros commended scientists, healthcare workers and partners in the DRC and other countries, particularly participants in the clinical trial, noting that their contributions would generate important evidence that could help save lives.
He, however, cautioned that vaccines alone would not end the outbreak but could provide an additional tool for controlling its spread.
The Tumaini trial is being led by the Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale, the DRC’s national public health and biomedical research institute, with support from the University of Antwerp, Belgium; WHO; Epicentre; Médecins Sans Frontières; the Institute of Tropical Medicine of Antwerp; and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) is supporting the rapid development of the vaccine candidates through its investments.
Designed to evaluate multiple vaccine candidates within a single study, Tumaini uses a ring-vaccination approach involving people who have had contact with individuals confirmed to have Bundibugyo virus disease.
The approach builds on a vaccination strategy pioneered by WHO and its partners during the West African Ebola outbreak about a decade ago.
A landmark clinical trial in Guinea during that outbreak established the efficacy of Ervebo against Ebola virus, also known as Zaire ebolavirus.
Ervebo, the first vaccine being evaluated in the Tumaini trial, is now being assessed for its efficacy against the Bundibugyo virus.
WHO disclosed that four vaccination rings had already been established, while several others were being prepared. The rings include contacts of people who became ill or died from the disease.
Meanwhile, research into potential treatments for the Bundibugyo virus disease is also progressing through the WHO-sponsored PARTNERS trial, launched in July.
The treatment trial is evaluating whether the monoclonal antibody MBP134, the antiviral drug remdesivir, or a combination of both could improve survival among patients with confirmed Bundibugyo virus disease.
WHO said another treatment, maftivimab, would soon be introduced into the trial for evaluation, while a complementary study investigating the use of obeldevisir for post-exposure prophylaxis was already underway.
The organisation is supporting research activities through its Research and Development Blueprint and Health Emergencies Programme.
Its support includes developing research protocols, providing strategic and technical guidance, coordinating participating partners and offering operational assistance to ensure that rigorous and ethical studies are integrated into the outbreak response.
WHO said initial findings from the treatment trials were expected in the coming months, while results from the vaccine trial were anticipated in early 2027.
