Biotech giant Moderna has announced a partnership with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) to develop a potential vaccine against the Bundibugyo ebolavirus, the strain responsible for the ongoing Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The collaboration involves up to $50 million in funding from CEPI for preclinical development and early clinical testing of Moderna's investigational vaccine candidate.
The outbreak has seen over 900 suspected cases and more than 220 suspected deaths, prompting a global race to identify medical options. Moderna's shares rose earlier this month after the company revealed it was researching a hantavirus vaccine following a cruise ship outbreak.
CEPI has also committed up to $8.6 million for a vaccine developed by the University of Oxford and manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, alongside an initial $3.2 million for a candidate from the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative. These efforts follow a World Health Organization recommendation to prioritise experimental drugs, including antibodies, antivirals, and vaccines, for treating and preventing the Bundibugyo ebolavirus.
Separately, the global vaccine alliance Gavi has pledged up to $50 million, with $40 million to accelerate vaccine access and $10 million to support outbreak response. The Pandemic Fund last week announced up to $220.6 million in grants to address critical response gaps in the Ebola outbreak.
