NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA / RankWire.AI / – Moderna has initiated a Phase 1 trial of an experimental vaccine targeting Bundibugyo ebolavirus in Canada. The first participant received the mRNA-1469 vaccine on August 3 at a site in Truro, Nova Scotia. This trial is happening as the virus continues to spread across multiple provinces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The World Health Organization considers this outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.
The study will take place at three sites across Canada and aims to recruit around 80 healthy adults. Researchers will evaluate the vaccine’s safety, tolerability, and its ability to generate an immune response. Since this is a Phase 1 study, it will not determine if the vaccine prevents infection. Instead, it will focus on early safety data. The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations has pledged up to $50 million to support preclinical research, the trial, and the production of additional research doses.
WHO reported 3,605 confirmed cases and 1,587 deaths in DR Congo as of July 30. By that date, at least 651 patients had recovered. Updated figures from CEPI on August 4 indicated infections exceeded 3,800, with deaths over 1,700. The cases span 49 health zones across 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.
Vaccine gap highlighted by outbreak
On May 17, WHO declared the outbreak an international public health emergency. This marks DR Congo’s 17th Ebola outbreak since 1976. The current spread involves the Bundibugyo species, which previously caused outbreaks in Uganda and DR Congo. There is no approved vaccine or specific treatment for this Ebola strain. Existing licensed vaccines target Zaire ebolavirus, a different virus within the same family.
Bundibugyo ebolavirus transmits through direct contact with infected blood, body fluids, organs, or contaminated materials. Health teams have ramped up testing, contact tracing, clinical care, and infection prevention efforts. By July 30, officials had identified 17,863 contacts for monitoring. WHO also reported 151 confirmed infections among health workers, including 44 deaths. Ongoing conflict, displacement, and attacks on health facilities hinder response efforts in affected areas.
New vaccine candidates enter clinical testing
This Moderna trial follows the launch of another Phase 1 trial by the University of Oxford. The Oxford team vaccinated their first volunteer on July 24 with a candidate using the ChAdOx1 platform. The Serum Institute of India produced about 620,000 stockpiled doses of the Oxford vaccine and supplied 4,000 investigational doses for testing. Both programs are supported by CEPI as part of its Bundibugyo vaccine development efforts.
Moderna’s mRNA-1469 candidate uses the same technology platform as their COVID-19 vaccine. CEPI also supports two other candidates based on recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus technology. IAVI developed one, with Hilleman Laboratories leading manufacturing. The other was developed by Public Health Vaccines. Neither has yet received regulatory approval for public use. WHO emphasizes that surveillance, rapid diagnosis, patient care, safe burials, and community engagement remain essential to controlling the outbreak.