The global health organisation Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) will provide approximately $60 million to Moderna, a vaccine developer, and two other groups to accelerate the development of vaccines against the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, a deadly virus that has been spreading in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
CEPI was one of the earliest investors in vaccine development during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and played a significant role in accelerating immunisation technologies.
The organisation’s chief executive, Richard Hatchett, told Reuters that vaccines against Bundibugyo Ebola could be ready for clinical trials within a few months.
There are currently no approved vaccines or treatments for this strain of the virus.
“Every day counts in the race against this deadly disease,” he stressed.
Hatchett added that the prospect of having a vaccine “within a not infinitely distant timeframe” could help initiate discussions on who will finance the procurement and distribution of doses.
However, he cautioned that vaccine development is unpredictable and that the security situation in eastern DRC could complicate the conduct of clinical trials.
The outbreak has already resulted in 321 confirmed cases, including 42 deaths, as well as around 116 suspected cases, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
In addition to the deaths reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo, six new cases have been confirmed in Uganda, bringing the total number of infections there to 15.
Global health agencies have declared the outbreak a public health emergency.
Source: Economic Times
