The WHO has recommended two new vaccine candidates developed by Oxford University and Moderna for an ongoing clinical trial in the Democratic Republic of the Congo…reports Asian Lite News Desk
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended adding two new vaccine candidates to an ongoing clinical trial in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), marking the first time vaccines specifically developed against the Bundibugyo virus will be tested during an outbreak of the disease.
The candidates, ChAdOx1, developed by the University of Oxford in partnership with the Serum Institute of India, and Moderna’s mRNA-1469, have been recommended for further clinical evaluation by the WHO’s independent Technical Advisory Group on Candidate Vaccines Prioritization.
The recommendation was made this week following an assessment of available preclinical and early clinical evidence. The companies developing the vaccines were informed on Monday, and both candidates will enter the Tumaini clinical trial after receiving national approvals.
The development comes as health authorities continue efforts to contain the Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak in the DRC. The virus is one of the species responsible for Ebola disease, and the WHO said the latest recommendation represents an important step in evaluating vaccines specifically designed to protect against it during an active outbreak.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the development as an example of scientific collaboration and partnership.
“The fact that these vaccines are ready to enter clinical trials is a testament to the power of science and partnership,” he said.
“I thank the scientists, health workers and partners in the DRC and around the world who have brought us to this point, and especially the people taking part in the trial. Their participation will generate vital evidence that could help save lives. Vaccines alone will not end this outbreak, but they could become a powerful new tool for bringing it under control.”
How will the Tumaini vaccine trial work?
The Tumaini clinical trial is designed to evaluate multiple vaccine candidates within a single study, using a ring-vaccination approach. Under this method, people who have been in contact with individuals confirmed to have Bundibugyo virus disease are enrolled for vaccination.
The approach builds on a strategy used by the WHO and its partners during the West African Ebola outbreak around a decade ago. A landmark clinical trial in Guinea during that outbreak established the efficacy of Ervebo against Ebola virus, also known as Zaire ebolavirus.
Ervebo is the first vaccine being evaluated in the Tumaini trial to assess its efficacy against Bundibugyo virus. The addition of ChAdOx1 and mRNA-1469 would expand the range of candidates being examined during the current outbreak.
Four vaccination rings have already been established, with several more in preparation. These groups include contacts of people who have become ill or died from Ebola.
The vaccine trial is being led by the Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale, the DRC’s national public health and biomedical research institute.
It is receiving support from the University of Antwerp in Belgium, the WHO, Epicentre, Médecins Sans Frontières, the Institute of Tropical Medicine of Antwerp and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations has also supported investments that have helped accelerate the development of candidate vaccines.
Alongside vaccine research, clinical studies are examining potential treatments for people infected with Bundibugyo virus disease.
The WHO-sponsored PARTNERS trial, launched in July, is assessing whether the monoclonal antibody MBP134, the antiviral drug remdesivir or a combination of both can improve survival among patients with confirmed infections.
The trial is also expected to include maftivimab to assess its potential as a treatment. Separately, a post-exposure prophylaxis study involving obeldevisir is under way.
The WHO is supporting research through its Research and Development Blueprint and Health Emergencies Programme. Its work includes developing research protocols, providing technical and strategic guidance, coordinating participating organisations and offering operational support to ensure that studies are integrated into the outbreak response while maintaining scientific and ethical standards.
Initial findings from the treatment trials are expected in the coming months, while results from the vaccine trial are anticipated in early 2027.
The WHO said vaccines alone would not bring the outbreak to an end, but the clinical studies could provide important evidence and additional tools to support efforts to control the disease.
