Moderna begins Phase 1 clinical trial of Ebola vaccine against strain behind DRC outbreak

The first phase will evaluate the safety and tolerability of the vaccine. Moderna has begun a Phase 1 clinical trial of an Ebola vaccine set to target the Bundibugyo strain, which is currently circulating in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the pharmaceutical company announced Tuesday. The first participants were vaccinated in Canada with the candidate, mRNA-1469. The vaccine will be using the same mRNA platform that Moderna used to develop its vaccine during the COVID-19 pandemic. The first phase of the clinical trial will evaluate the safety and tolerability of the vaccine, with about 80 participants.

Scoop News DeskBundibugyo · Published Thursday, September 17, 2026 at 5:51 PM UTCUpdated Friday, September 18, 2026 at 10:55 AM UTC

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The Phase 1 trial is being conducted in Canada as part of Moderna's collaboration with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPi), according to the pharmaceutical company. Richard Hatchett, CEPI's CEO, said getting the vaccine candidate into a Phase 1 clinical trial is "a major step forward" in combatting the deadly outbreak. "This fast-growing epidemic is already the second-largest Ebola outbreak in history, and cases are rising more quickly than they did in the 2014 -- 2016 West Africa epidemic which remains the largest on record," Hatchett said in the press release. "Every day matters, and every vaccine candidate in clinical trials gives us another shot at getting a safe, effective vaccine to the people who need it as swiftly as possible." 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events Moderna begins Phase 1 clinical trial of Ebola vaccine against strain behind DRC outbreak - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos.

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