CEPI invests $1.9 million to accelerate Ebola vaccine development

The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) is investing $1.9 million to speed up the creation of a vaccine against the Bundibugyo ebolavirus. This move comes as global health partners intensify their response to ongoing outbreaks in Africa.

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This epidemic is a stark reminder of how quickly deadly viruses can spread, especially in communities already under immense strain.

The funding, announced on CEPI's website, goes to Public Health Vaccines, LLC (PHV). It will help PHV quickly produce the necessary Master Viral Seed stock to move the investigational vaccine into clinical trials. Currently, no licensed vaccine exists for the Bundibugyo virus, and none are in development.

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Vaccines could play an important role in bringing the outbreak under control.

CEPI's Chief Executive Officer, Richard Hatchett, highlighted the urgency, stating, "This epidemic is a stark reminder of how quickly deadly viruses can spread, especially in communities already under immense strain." He noted that the vaccine candidate uses the same recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus platform as a licensed vaccine against Zaire ebolavirus, suggesting its potential effectiveness.

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The rVSV platform has demonstrated its value when responding to previous Zaire ebolavirus outbreaks.

This investment is CEPI's fourth for Bundibugyo vaccine candidates, reflecting a strategy to explore multiple research approaches. The coalition believes that parallel investments across various vaccine platforms increase the chances of developing safe and effective vaccines faster. CEPI is also collaborating with organizations like Gavi and the World Bank to explore financing for manufacturing and procurement, emphasizing the need for sustained investment in epidemic preparedness.

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This same technology could now be vital in saving lives against Bundibugyo.