The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) announced the fast-tracking of three investigational vaccines to combat the Bundibugyo ebolavirus (BDBV) epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda. CEPI selected IAVI, Moderna and the University of Oxford’s vaccine candidates based on a global review and consultations with the WHO, Africa CDC and other health organizations.
Credit: CEPI
There are currently no licensed vaccines for BDBV, and none are in clinical development. There have only been two previous outbreaks caused by this virus.
“With Bundibugyo virus spreading rapidly and no licensed vaccines, every day counts in the race against this deadly disease,” Richard Hatchett, CEO of CEPI, said in a press release. “CEPI’s urgent funding and support for these three promising candidates aims to advance safe, effective vaccines to help control this epidemic.”
IAVI’s rVSV vaccine
IAVI’s vaccine, originally developed at The University of Texas Medical Branch, uses a recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (rVSV) to elicit protective immunity after a single dose. This is the same technology used for the only licensed Zaire ebolavirus vaccine and was deployed during a 2025 Sudan virus outbreak in Uganda.
It has demonstrated protective efficacy in non-human primate studies but has not yet been evaluated in humans. The WHO identified this as the most promising vaccine candidate selected by CEPI. Funding from CEPI, totaling $3.2 million, will support the generation of a Master Virus Seed stock and the transfer of processes to a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) for GMP production.
Technology proven by COVID-19
Moderna’s candidate uses the same mRNA platform deployed for COVID-19. CEPI is investing up to $50 million in this candidate for preclinical testing, Phase 1 trials and simultaneous manufacturing. This will allow the program to advance immediately into Phase 2 and 3 trials if Phase 1 is successful.
“We will move with urgency and scientific rigor to support the response and help bring a potential vaccine closer to the communities that need it most,” Stephane Bancel, CEO of Moderna, said in the press release.
Moderna’s revenue in the fourth quarter of last year was down 30% year over year. The first quarter of 2026 brought in $0.4 billion, with approximately 80% coming from international markets. In 2025, the company spent $3.1 billion on research and development expenses while bringing in only $1.9 billion in revenue.
CEPI’s investment offloads the cost of a commercially risky program, as the Bundibugyo strain of ebola is rare and the outbreak is localized to the DRC and Uganda. The grant will allow Moderna to continue to prove its mRNA technology and accumulate clinical data for its filovirus pipeline at little financial cost.
As CEPI is putting $50 million behind Moderna’s mRNA technology, the U.S. government is dismantling mRNA research programs. In August 2025, the Trump administration terminated 22 contracts focused on developing mRNA vaccines and wound down additional federal investments in mRNA technology.
The University of Oxford’s vaccine candidate is based on the ChAdOx1 viral vector platform, the technology behind AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine. The technology has also shown efficacy against related filoviruses, including Zaire ebolavirus, Sudan virus and Marburg virus. CEPI invested $8.6 million in this candidate, covering preclinical testing, the creation of a Master Virus Seed stock and the production of clinical-grade doses.
As work on these candidates begins, CEPI will continue to evaluate additional promising candidates, including through an open call for proposals. The organization is coordinating with Gavi, the World Bank and development finance institutions to ensure surge financing is available for large-scale procurement if trials are successful.
Filed Under: Immunology
