The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) has awarded $1.9 million to accelerate the development of a vaccine candidate against the Bundibugyo ebolavirus, as global health partners intensify efforts to respond to ongoing outbreaks in parts of Africa.
The funding was announced in a statement published on CEPI’s website on Monday and awarded to Public Health Vaccines, LLC (PHV), a long-standing partner of the coalition.
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According to CEPI, the investment will support the rapid production of Master Viral Seed stock required to advance the investigational vaccine into clinical testing.
It noted that the Bundibugyo outbreak had resulted in more than 560 confirmed infections and over 100 confirmed deaths.
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The statement added that no licensed vaccine currently exists against the Bundibugyo virus and none is in clinical development.
It also said CEPI could support future clinical trials if development milestones are achieved, paving the way for emergency use authorisation or eventual licensure.
It added that PHV had committed to ensuring rapid and affordable access to any successful vaccine for affected countries and vulnerable populations.
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The coalition said the investment represented its fourth commitment to investigational Bundibugyo vaccine candidates, reflecting efforts to diversify research approaches.
According to CEPI, parallel investments across several vaccine platforms improve the likelihood of delivering safe and effective vaccines within shorter timelines.
The organisation said it had also mobilised laboratory networks, clinical trial partners, manufacturers and regulators to strengthen outbreak response and vaccine development activities.
It added that collaboration was ongoing with Gavi, the World Bank and other development finance institutions to explore financing options for manufacturing and procurement.
The organisation said the Bundibugyo outbreak, alongside a recent hantavirus outbreak, highlighted the importance of sustained investment in epidemic preparedness and scientific innovation.
In the statement, CEPI Chief Executive Officer, Richard Hatchett, described the epidemic as a reminder of how rapidly dangerous viruses could spread in vulnerable communities.
“This epidemic is a stark reminder of how quickly deadly viruses can spread, especially in communities already under immense strain.
“Vaccines could play an important role in bringing the outbreak under control,” Mr Hatchett said.
He said the vaccine candidate used the recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus platform, the same technology employed in a licensed vaccine against Zaire ebolavirus.
“The rVSV platform has demonstrated its value when responding to previous Zaire ebolavirus outbreaks.
“This same technology could now be vital in saving lives against Bundibugyo,” he said.
Mr Hatchett stressed that specialised processes and critical research materials required for vaccine development take time to establish, making early investment essential.
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Also speaking, PHV Chief Business Officer, Michael McGinnis, welcomed the expanded partnership and expressed confidence in the vaccine candidate’s potential contribution to outbreak control efforts.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to expand our existing partnership with CEPI to now include our Bundibugyo ebolavirus vaccine candidate.
“We look forward to making a meaningful contribution to this and future outbreaks,” Mr McGinnis said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bundibugyo Ebola virus is one of the forms of Ebola virus that causes severe haemorrhagic fever in humans.
It was first identified in Uganda in 2007 and can spread through direct contact with infected bodily fluids.
(NAN)
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