NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA / RankWire.AI / – Moderna has launched a Phase 1 clinical trial for an experimental vaccine targeting Bundibugyo ebolavirus in Canada. The first volunteer received the mRNA-1469 vaccine on August 3 at a facility in Truro, Nova Scotia. This development comes amid ongoing transmission of the virus across multiple provinces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The World Health Organization has designated the outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern.
The trial will be conducted across three sites in Canada, enrolling approximately 80 healthy adults. The research team aims to evaluate the vaccine’s safety, tolerability, and its capacity to elicit an immune response. Since Phase 1 studies focus primarily on safety data, this trial will not determine the vaccine’s effectiveness in preventing infection. 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 studies.
WHO reported 3,605 confirmed cases and 1,587 deaths in DR Congo up to July 30, with at least 651 patients having recovered by that date. Updated data from CEPI on August 4 indicated that infections had surpassed 3,800 and deaths exceeded 1,700. The outbreak has affected 49 health zones across the provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uélé, and Tshopo. Among these, 33 health zones reported recent infections, with Ituri accounting for 88% of confirmed cases.
Vaccine gap highlighted by outbreak
On May 17, WHO declared the situation an international 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 species, which has previously caused outbreaks in Uganda and DR Congo. At present, there are no approved vaccines or specific treatments targeting this Ebola strain. Existing licensed Ebola vaccines are designed against Zaire ebolavirus, a different member of the virus family.
Bundibugyo ebolavirus transmits through direct contact with infected blood, body fluids, tissues, or contaminated objects. In response, public health authorities have ramped up laboratory testing, contact tracing, clinical care, and infection control efforts. By July 30, officials had identified 17,863 contacts for monitoring. WHO also reported 151 confirmed infections among health workers, including 44 fatalities. Ongoing conflict, displacement, and assaults on healthcare facilities have hampered response activities in several affected regions.
Multiple vaccine candidates now in testing stages
Following Moderna’s announcement, the University of Oxford also initiated a Phase 1 trial for its Ebola vaccine candidate. The first volunteer was vaccinated on July 24 with a candidate based on the ChAdOx1 platform. The Serum Institute of India produced about 620,000 doses for stockpiling and supplied 4,000 investigational doses for clinical evaluation. Both programs are supported by CEPI as part of its efforts to develop a vaccine for Bundibugyo ebolavirus.
Moderna’s mRNA-1469 candidate employs the same technological platform as its COVID-19 vaccine. Additionally, CEPI is backing two other candidates utilizing recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus technology. One was developed by IAVI with manufacturing led by Hilleman Laboratories, while the other was created by Public Health Vaccines. None of these candidates has received regulatory approval for widespread use. WHO emphasizes that surveillance, rapid diagnosis, patient care, safe burial practices, and community engagement remain essential strategies for controlling the outbreak.