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Moderna $MRNA is partnering with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations to develop a vaccine against Bundibugyo ebolavirus, the strain driving an ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighboring Uganda for which no licensed vaccine exists.
CEPI has committed up to $50 million to support preclinical testing and Phase 1 clinical trials of Moderna's messenger RNA vaccine candidate. CEPI said it will also fund simultaneous manufacturing of doses so that large-scale Phase 2 and Phase 3 trials can begin immediately if Phase 1 data supports moving forward.
CEPI reports the outbreak has grown to exceed 900 suspected cases, with the death toll surpassing 220. The World Health Organization and Africa CDC have each declared it a public health emergency.
"At Moderna, we believe our mRNA platform can play an important role in responding to emerging infectious disease threats," said Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel in a statement. "We will move with urgency and scientific rigor to support the response and help bring a potential vaccine closer to the communities that need it most."
