The Oxford Vaccine Group is developing a vaccine against the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola to combat an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo [1].
This development is critical because the current outbreak is caused by a strain that has no proven vaccine and kills roughly one-third of those infected [2, 4].
Prof. Teresa Lambe said the team is using the same technology that was utilized for the Covid vaccine to create the new candidate [1]. Researchers are aiming for a single-dose vaccine, similar to the licensed Ebola Zaire vaccine [1].
Clinical-grade doses for trial use could be ready within two to three months, provided that pre-clinical trials succeed [3]. The vaccine is being developed in Oxford, United Kingdom, specifically to address the crisis in the DRC [1, 2].
Health officials are racing to contain the virus as it continues to spread. The Bundibugyo strain is distinct from other forms of the virus, necessitating a targeted immunological response [2].
Lambe said the goal is to accelerate the timeline to prevent further loss of life in the affected regions [1]. The project leverages the rapid prototyping capabilities developed during the global pandemic to shorten the traditional vaccine development cycle [1].
“Researchers are aiming for a single-dose vaccine, similar to the licensed Ebola Zaire vaccine.”
The use of mRNA or viral vector technology, refined during the Covid-19 pandemic, allows scientists to pivot quickly to emerging pathogens. By targeting the Bundibugyo strain specifically, Oxford is addressing a critical gap in global health security, as previous Ebola vaccines were not effective against this particular variant.
