What is the significance of Moderna's mRNA-1469 vaccine trial for Bundibugyo ebolavirus, and why is it urgently needed?

Moderna has begun its first human trial of mRNA-1469, an experimental vaccine against Bundibugyo ebolavirus — a strain that has killed more than 1,650 people and currently has no approved vaccine. The trial is urgently needed because the Bundibugyo strain is driving the Democratic Republic of Congo outbreak, which — with 3,748 confirmed cases and 1,657 confirmed deaths as of August 1 — is the world's second-largest Ebola outbreak on record and growing faster than the 2014–2016 West Africa epidemic. The World Health Organization and Africa CDC have both declared it a public health emergency.

How is Moderna’s Bundibugyo vaccine being developed and supported, and what are its access commitments?

The mRNA-1469 vaccine uses the same mRNA technology as Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine and is being evaluated in a Health Canada–approved early-stage trial across three Canadian sites, enrolling about 80 healthy adults to assess safety and immune response. The effort is part of an expanded partnership with CEPI, which has pledged up to $50 million to fund early testing and manufacturing. If approved, Moderna plans to make at least 500,000 doses available to low- and middle-income countries at access pricing under its CEPI agreement.

Moderna begins first human trial of Bundibugyo Ebola vaccine

Aug 4, 2026

Moderna launched its first human trial for an experimental mRNA vaccine against the Bundibugyo Ebola strain, backed by a $50 million CEPI partnership. The study enrolls 80 volunteers in Canada amid a declared public health emergency in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

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Moderna begins first human trial of Bundibugyo Ebola vaccine

Moderna begins first human trial of Bundibugyo Ebola vaccine

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