NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA / RankWire.AI / – Moderna has commenced a Phase 1 clinical trial testing an experimental vaccine targeting Bundibugyo ebolavirus in Canada. The trial started with the first participant receiving the mRNA-1469 vaccine on August 3 at a location in Truro, Nova Scotia. This development occurs amid ongoing transmission of the virus across multiple provinces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The World Health Organization has designated the situation as a public health emergency of international concern.
The clinical study will be conducted across three sites in Canada and aims to recruit approximately 80 healthy adult volunteers. Researchers will evaluate the safety profile, tolerability, and immune response generated by the vaccine. It is important to note that this trial will not establish whether the vaccine prevents infection, as Phase 1 studies focus primarily on early safety data. The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations has pledged up to $50 million to support preclinical research, the trial itself, and the production of additional doses for further testing.
WHO reported 3,605 confirmed cases and 1,587 deaths in DR Congo as of July 30. By that date, at least 651 individuals had recovered. Updated data from CEPI on August 4 indicated the number of infections had risen above 3,800, with deaths exceeding 1,700. The cases are spread across 49 health zones within Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uélé, and Tshopo provinces. Among these, 33 zones reported recent infections, with Ituri accounting for 88% of confirmed cases.
Outbreak highlights vaccine coverage gap
On May 17, WHO declared the outbreak a global public health emergency. This marks the 17th Ebola outbreak in DR Congo since the virus was first identified in 1976. The current epidemic involves the Bundibugyo strain, which previously caused outbreaks in Uganda and DR Congo. Currently, there is no approved vaccine or specific treatment targeting this particular Ebola species. Existing licensed vaccines are directed against Zaire ebolavirus, a different member of the virus family.
Bundibugyo ebolavirus spreads via direct contact with infected blood, body fluids, organs, or contaminated objects. Efforts by public health teams have expanded laboratory testing, contact tracing, clinical care, and infection control measures. Up to July 30, officials identified 17,863 contacts for monitoring. The WHO also reported 151 confirmed infections among healthcare workers, including 44 deaths. Conflict, population displacement, and attacks on health facilities have hampered access and response efforts in several affected regions.
Multiple vaccine candidates begin clinical testing
Following Moderna’s announcement, the University of Oxford launched a separate Phase 1 trial of a vaccine candidate on July 24. Oxford researchers vaccinated their first volunteer using the ChAdOx1 platform. The Serum Institute of India produced the vaccine, creating approximately 620,000 stockpiled doses, and supplied 4,000 investigational doses for clinical trials. Both programs are supported by CEPI as part of its Bundibugyo vaccine development efforts.
Moderna’s mRNA-1469 vaccine employs the same technological platform as the company’s COVID-19 vaccine. CEPI is also funding two other candidates based on recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus technology. One was developed by IAVI, with Hilleman Laboratories leading manufacturing, while the other was created by Public Health Vaccines. None of these candidates have received regulatory approval for widespread use. According to WHO, controlling the outbreak relies heavily on surveillance, rapid diagnosis, patient management, safe burial practices, and community engagement.