NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA / RankWire.AI / – Moderna has commenced a Phase 1 clinical study of an experimental vaccine targeting Bundibugyo ebolavirus in Canada. The first participant received the mRNA-1469 vaccine on August 3 at a facility in Truro, Nova Scotia. This development occurs as the virus continues to spread across multiple provinces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The World Health Organization has designated the situation as a public health emergency of international concern.
The trial will be conducted across three Canadian locations and aims to enroll approximately 80 healthy adults. Researchers will evaluate the vaccine’s safety, tolerability, and capacity to trigger an immune response. It is important to note that this Phase 1 study will not determine the vaccine’s efficacy in preventing infection, as such trials typically focus on initial safety data. The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations has allocated up to $50 million to fund preclinical research, the trial itself, and the production of additional doses for further studies.
WHO reported 3,605 confirmed cases and 1,587 deaths in DR Congo up to July 30. At that time, at least 651 patients had recovered. Updated data provided by CEPI on August 4 indicated that infections exceeded 3,800 and deaths surpassed 1,700. Cases have been identified in 49 health zones across the provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uélé, and Tshopo. Among these, 33 zones reported recent infections, with Ituri accounting for 88% of confirmed cases.
Outbreak highlights vaccine gap
On May 17, WHO declared the outbreak an international public health emergency. This marks the 17th Ebola outbreak in DR Congo since scientists first identified the virus in 1976. The current epidemic involves the Bundibugyo species, which previously caused outbreaks in Uganda and DR Congo. At present, no approved vaccine or specific treatment directly targets this Ebola strain. Existing licensed Ebola vaccines are designed for Zaire ebolavirus, a different member of the virus family.
Bundibugyo ebolavirus transmits through direct contact with infected blood, body fluids, organs, or contaminated materials. Public health teams have intensified efforts such as laboratory testing, contact tracing, clinical care, and infection prevention measures. As of July 30, officials had identified 17,863 contacts for monitoring. WHO also reported 151 confirmed infections among healthcare workers, including 44 fatalities. Ongoing conflict, displacement, and attacks on health infrastructure have hampered access and response activities in several affected regions.
Multiple vaccine candidates enter clinical testing
This Moderna trial follows a separate Phase 1 study launched by the University of Oxford. Oxford researchers administered their first dose on July 24 using a candidate based on the ChAdOx1 platform. The Serum Institute of India produced the vaccine, generating approximately 620,000 stockpiled doses and supplying 4,000 investigational doses for clinical trials. Both programs are supported by CEPI as part of its efforts to develop a vaccine for Bundibugyo ebolavirus.
Moderna’s mRNA-1469 vaccine candidate employs the same technological platform as their COVID-19 vaccine. CEPI also backs two other candidates based on recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus technology—one developed by IAVI with manufacturing led by Hilleman Laboratories, and another by Public Health Vaccines. None of these candidates have received regulatory approval for widespread use. WHO emphasizes that surveillance, rapid diagnosis, patient treatment, safe burials, and community engagement remain critical in controlling the outbreak.