Moderna, a leading biotechnology company, has announced a partnership with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) to develop a vaccine targeting the Bundibugyo ebolavirus. This strain is linked to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Under this agreement, CEPI has committed up to $50 million to support the preclinical development and early clinical testing of Moderna’s investigational vaccine candidate for the Bundibugyo ebolavirus (BDBV). This collaboration aims to accelerate the development of a vaccine that could potentially curb the spread of this deadly virus.

CEPI, a global partnership focused on accelerating the development of vaccines against epidemic and pandemic threats, is also investing in other vaccine candidates. An initial investment of up to $8.6 million will support a vaccine developed by the University of Oxford and manufactured by the Serum Institute of India. Additionally, CEPI will provide an initial $3.2 million for a vaccine developed by the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently recommended prioritizing several experimental drugs, including antibodies, antivirals, and vaccines, for the treatment and prevention of the Bundibugyo ebolavirus. This highlights the urgent need for effective medical interventions to address the outbreak in the region.

Moderna’s involvement in this initiative underscores the importance of global cooperation in addressing public health challenges. By collaborating with CEPI and other organizations, Moderna aims to contribute to the global effort to combat the Ebola outbreak and protect vulnerable populations.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.