Moderna begins first human trial of Bundibugyo Ebola vaccine

Moderna announced on Tuesday (August 4, 2026) the commencement of its inaugural human trial for an experimental vaccine designed to combat Bundibugyo ebolavirus, a strain of Ebola responsible for over 1,650 deaths thus far and currently lacks an approved vaccine. Health Canada has sanctioned the early-stage study, with the first participants, known as mRNA-1469, having already received the injection, according to the pharmaceutical company.

The experimental injection employs the same mRNA technology utilized in Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine. The trial, spanning three Canadian locations, intends to enroll approximately 80 healthy adults to evaluate the vaccine's safety and capacity to elicit an immune response. This initiative is part of a broader collaboration with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), which has committed up to $50 million to support the vaccine's preliminary testing and production.

The Bundibugyo strain is currently fueling an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, marking the world's second-largest Ebola outbreak on record, with 3,748 confirmed cases and 1,657 confirmed deaths reported as of August 1, as per data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The outbreak is progressing at a faster pace than during the 2014-2016 West Africa Ebola epidemic, which holds the record for the largest Ebola outbreak on record, stated CEPI CEO Richard Hatchett.

Both the World Health Organization and Africa CDC have declared the ongoing outbreak a public health emergency. Should the vaccine receive approval, Moderna intends to make a minimum of 500,000 doses available to low- and middle-income countries at reduced rates under its agreement with CEPI.