Oxford, Serum Institute Launch Human Trials of Vaccine Against Bundibugyo Ebola Strain

The University of Oxford and the Serum Institute of India (SII) have launched the world's first human trial of a vaccine against the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, for which no approved vaccine currently exists. The Phase I trial will include 50 healthy volunteers aged 18–55 in Oxford to evaluate the vaccine's safety and its ability to trigger an immune response. The vaccine, called ChAdOx1 BDBV, has been developed using the same viral vector platform as the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. The trial was launched just 57 days after the latest Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak was declared, according to an NDTV report.

The Serum Institute of India has supplied 4,000 investigational doses for the trial and is preparing for large-scale manufacturing if the vaccine proves successful. If the Phase I study shows positive results, the vaccine will move to larger clinical trials before regulatory approval is considered. Researchers believe the vaccine could help control future Ebola outbreaks, while Oxford and Serum Institute of India have pledged to ensure rapid and affordable access for affected countries if the vaccine is approved.