UK scientists developing new Ebola vaccine that could be ready in months
Researchers from Oxford and the Pirbright Institute are working to bring a new Ebola vaccine to market within months in response to the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The vaccine targets the Sudan strain not covered by the existing Ervebo vaccine; the first clinical trials will begin in July.
The University of Oxford's Jenner Institute and the Pirbright Institute have moved a new vaccine candidate onto an accelerated programme in response to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Speaking to BBC Africa, lead researcher Professor Sarah Gilbert said the vaccine uses ChAdOx vector technology and targets the Sudan strain. The existing approved Ervebo vaccine protects only against the Zaire strain, while the current outbreak in Congo carries genetic features of the Sudan strain.
Professor Gilbert said first-phase clinical trials will begin in July at centres in Oxford and Liverpool, with 480 participants planned. The Serum Institute of India (SII), partner on manufacturing, has committed to annual capacity of 12 million doses at its Pune facility. World Health Organization coordinator Dr Yap Boum said the required regulatory approvals are being targeted for completion within four to six months under an emergency-use protocol.
According to the Congolese Ministry of Health, the cumulative total stands at 645 cases and 165 deaths as of 22 May, with the outbreak concentrated in Ituri and North Kivu provinces. The US CDC, the Public Health Agency of Canada and Norway-funded Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) will provide an additional $87 million in funding. The UK Department of Health and Social Care said it has prepared a plan to ship 5 million emergency doses to Congo if approval is obtained after the clinical trials.
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