NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA / RankWire.AI / – Moderna has initiated a Phase 1 clinical trial for an experimental vaccine targeting Bundibugyo ebolavirus in Canada. The inaugural participant received the mRNA-1469 vaccine on August 3 at a facility in Truro, Nova Scotia. This trial coincides with ongoing virus transmission across multiple provinces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The World Health Organization has designated the outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern.
The research will be conducted at three locations in Canada, enrolling approximately 80 healthy adults. The primary objectives are to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and immune response induced by the vaccine. Because this is a Phase 1 study, it will not establish whether the vaccine prevents infection, as the focus is on early safety data. The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations has allocated up to $50 million to support preclinical development, the clinical trial itself, and the production of additional research doses.
As of July 30, WHO reported 3,605 confirmed cases and 1,587 deaths in DR Congo. By that date, at least 651 patients had recovered. Updated figures provided by CEPI on August 4 indicated the number of infections had surpassed 3,800, with death tolls exceeding 1,700. Cases have been reported in 49 health zones across Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uélé, and Tshopo provinces. Recent infections have been documented in 33 health zones, with Ituri accounting for 88% of all confirmed cases.
Vaccine gap highlighted by outbreak
On May 17, WHO declared the outbreak an international public health emergency. This marks the 17th Ebola outbreak in DR Congo since the virus was first identified in 1976. The ongoing epidemic involves the Bundibugyo species, which has previously caused outbreaks in Uganda and DR Congo. Currently, no licensed vaccine or specific treatment exists for this Ebola strain. Existing licensed vaccines target Zaire ebolavirus, a different member of the virus family.
Bundibugyo ebolavirus is transmitted through direct contact with infected blood, body fluids, organs, or contaminated materials. In response, public health teams have expanded efforts in laboratory testing, contact tracing, clinical care, and infection prevention. As of July 30, authorities had identified 17,863 contacts for monitoring. WHO also reported 151 confirmed infections among healthcare workers, including 44 deaths. The response has been hampered in several affected areas due to conflict, displacement, and attacks on health facilities.
Multiple vaccine candidates in clinical testing
Following Moderna’s initiative, the University of Oxford has launched its own Phase 1 vaccine trial. The first volunteer was vaccinated on July 24 with a candidate based on the ChAdOx1 platform. The Serum Institute of India produced the Oxford vaccine and has stockpiled approximately 620,000 doses, including 4,000 investigational doses supplied for clinical testing. Both programs are supported by CEPI under its Bundibugyo vaccine development efforts.
Moderna’s mRNA-1469 candidate employs the same technological platform as its COVID-19 vaccine. Additionally, CEPI supports two other candidates utilizing recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus technology. One candidate was developed by IAVI and produced by Hilleman Laboratories, while the other was created by Public Health Vaccines. None of these candidates have yet received regulatory approval for public deployment. WHO emphasizes that surveillance, rapid diagnosis, patient management, safe burial practices, and community engagement are vital strategies for controlling the outbreak.