Moderna (NASDAQ:MRNA) announced on Monday a new collaboration with an international health organization aimed at accelerating the development of a vaccine targeting Bundibugyo ebolavirus (BDBV), the strain responsible for the ongoing Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
The partnership comes as global health agencies intensify efforts to identify effective treatments and preventive measures for the outbreak, which has resulted in more than 900 suspected infections and over 220 suspected fatalities.
CEPI Commits Up to $50 Million for Vaccine Development
Under the agreement, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) will provide up to $50 million in funding to support Moderna’s investigational BDBV vaccine program.
The funding is intended to advance both preclinical research and early-stage clinical studies as the company works to evaluate the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness.
The initiative reflects growing international concern over the spread of the Bundibugyo strain and the need to expand available medical countermeasures.
Additional Vaccine Programs Receive Funding Support
Alongside its commitment to Moderna, CEPI announced funding for other vaccine candidates targeting the outbreak.
The organization said it will initially allocate up to $8.6 million toward a vaccine developed by the University of Oxford and manufactured by the Serum Institute of India.
A further $3.2 million has been earmarked for a separate vaccine project being developed by the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative.
These investments form part of a broader strategy to support multiple vaccine approaches and increase the likelihood of identifying effective protection against the virus.
WHO Calls for Expanded Use of Experimental Treatments
The World Health Organization recently recommended prioritizing several experimental therapies for the treatment and prevention of Bundibugyo Ebola virus infections.
The list includes investigational antibodies, antiviral medicines and vaccine candidates that could help contain the outbreak and reduce mortality rates.
Health authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as researchers work to accelerate the development and evaluation of potential medical interventions.
CEPI Continues Focus on Epidemic Preparedness
CEPI is a global partnership established to accelerate the development of vaccines against emerging epidemic and pandemic threats.
The organization has played a central role in funding vaccine research for a range of infectious diseases and is increasingly focused on strengthening preparedness against future health emergencies.
Its latest commitments underscore the urgency surrounding the current Ebola outbreak and the need for coordinated international action.
Gavi and Pandemic Fund Provide Additional Resources
Separately, vaccine alliance Gavi announced on Monday that it would commit up to $50 million to support outbreak-related efforts.
The funding package includes up to $40 million aimed at improving access to vaccines and an additional $10 million dedicated to response activities in affected regions.
The announcement follows a commitment made last week by the Pandemic Fund, which pledged up to $220.6 million in grants designed to address critical gaps in the response to the Ebola outbreak.
Together, the funding initiatives highlight the growing global effort to contain the spread of Bundibugyo Ebola virus and accelerate the development of effective vaccines and treatments.