Moderna gets $50 million to develop mRNA Ebola vaccine against Bundibugyo

The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) announced on Monday a significant initiative aimed at combating the ongoing Bundibugyo ebolavirus (BDBV) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. With a financial commitment exceeding $60 million, CEPI is set to accelerate the development of three vaccine candidates to tackle this urgent public health crisis. As part of this initiative, CEPI will allocate up to $50 million to Moderna, the US-based biotech firm, for the preclinical development and Phase 1 clinical trials of its mRNA-based vaccine targeting BDBV. This funding is not only crucial for initial testing but will also enable Moderna to enhance its manufacturing capabilities in preparation for large-scale Phase 2 and 3 trials, should the vaccine progress successfully through early evaluations. Moderna's vaccine leverages the same mRNA technology that facilitated the rapid creation of its COVID-19 vaccine during the pandemic. Stéphane Bancel, the CEO of Moderna, emphasized the potential of the mRNA platform in swiftly addressing emerging infectious diseases. "We will act with urgency and scientific rigor to support the response and bring a potential vaccine closer to the communities in need," he stated in a press release on Monday.