An African‑led effort to develop a vaccine against the Bundibugyo ebolavirus is advancing to early human testing, with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) committing up to US$16.5 million to Egypt‑based Minapharm Group.
The funding will support a Phase 1 trial of Minapharm’s vaccine candidate, marking a milestone in Africa’s drive to build its own epidemic response capacity.
The vaccine, designed by Minapharm subsidiary ProBioGen in Berlin, uses the proprietary MVA‑CR19 platform, which has shown long‑term immunity in related filovirus vaccines.
“CEPI’s funding to Minapharm harnesses the growing strength of African-led innovation to help confront this increasingly severe outbreak and prepare for future threats,” CEPI Richard Hatchett said.
He said the candidate is the only Bundibugyo vaccine in CEPI’s portfolio designed to induce both B‑ and T‑cell responses, offering potential for comprehensive protection.
The move comes amid the largest Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak ever recorded in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Since May, the virus has spread rapidly across DRC’s six provinces, with thousands of confirmed cases and a fatality rate nearing 50 percent.
The outbreak has overwhelmed health systems, prompting urgent calls for new tools to contain transmission.
Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention director general Jean Kaseya welcomed the initiative as a step towards “health sovereignty” for the continent.
“A vaccine candidate advanced by an African company is exactly the kind of capability our continent needs – not just for this outbreak but so that Africa can develop and manufacture the tools it needs to protect its own people,” Kaseya said.
If successful, CEPI plans to support late‑stage trials and emergency use authorisation, ensuring rapid, affordable supply to affected countries.
JN/APA