NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA / RankWire.AI / – Moderna has initiated a Phase 1 clinical trial for an experimental vaccine targeting Bundibugyo ebolavirus in Canada. The first participant received the mRNA-1469 vaccine on August 3 at a location in Truro, Nova Scotia. This trial is launched while the virus continues its spread 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 sites in Canada, enrolling approximately 80 healthy adults. Researchers aim to evaluate the vaccine’s safety profile, tolerability, and its capacity to generate an immune response. Since Phase 1 trials primarily focus on early safety data, the study will not establish whether the vaccine prevents infection. The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations has allocated up to $50 million to support preclinical development, the trial itself, and the production of additional research doses.
WHO documented 3,605 confirmed cases and 1,587 fatalities in DR Congo through July 30. By that date, at least 651 patients had recovered. Updated figures provided by CEPI on August 4 reported infection numbers exceeding 3,800 and deaths surpassing 1,700. The outbreak affected 49 health zones across the provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uélé, and Tshopo. Of these, 33 zones had recent infections, with Ituri accounting for 88% of confirmed cases.
Vaccine gap highlighted by outbreak
On May 17, WHO declared the outbreak an international public health emergency. It marks the 17th Ebola outbreak in DR Congo since scientists first identified the virus in 1976. The current epidemic involves the Bundibugyo strain, which previously caused outbreaks in Uganda and DR Congo. No licensed vaccine or specific treatment currently targets this particular Ebola species. 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 ramped up laboratory testing, contact tracing, clinical care, and infection prevention efforts. As of July 30, officials identified 17,863 contacts for monitoring. WHO also reported 151 confirmed infections among healthcare workers, including 44 deaths. Ongoing conflict, displacement, and attacks on health infrastructure have hampered access and response in several affected regions.
Multiple vaccine candidates enter clinical testing
This Moderna trial follows the recent launch of a separate Phase 1 vaccine trial by the University of Oxford. The Oxford team vaccinated their first volunteer on July 24 with a candidate based on the ChAdOx1 platform. The Serum Institute of India produced the Oxford vaccine and has stockpiled about 620,000 doses. It also supplied 4,000 investigational doses for clinical evaluation. Both programs receive support from CEPI as part of its Bundibugyo vaccine development efforts.
Moderna’s mRNA-1469 candidate employs the same core technology platform as the company’s COVID-19 vaccine. CEPI also supports two other candidates using recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus technology. IAVI developed one, with Hilleman Laboratories leading manufacturing, and the other was developed by Public Health Vaccines. None of these candidates have yet obtained regulatory approval for public use. WHO emphasizes that surveillance, rapid diagnosis, patient care, safe burials, and community engagement remain essential for managing the outbreak.