Ebola Vaccine Trials Could Start This Year

Summary

IAVI CEO Mark Feinberg discusses accelerated Ebola vaccine development for the Bundibugyo strain amid rising cases in Congo and Uganda. A candidate vaccine could enter human trials by year-end, with multiple groups working on different platform-based approaches. Manufacturing is initially outside Africa with plans to transfer production to Institut Pasteur in Dakar, Senegal, over the next few years. The conversation highlights the clinical trial timeline and the importance of conducting studies in partnership with African investigators and communities.

• Ebola cases are rising in Congo and Uganda, prompting urgent vaccine development.
• IAVI CEO Mark Feinberg says his organization's candidate vaccine could enter clinical trials by end of the year.
• Multiple vaccine platforms based on previously successful approaches are being explored to maximize probability of success.
• Other programs may reach the clinic slightly earlier, but all are expected to converge around the same timeframe.
• IAVI plans to conduct clinical trials in Africa and eventually transfer manufacturing to the Institut Pasteur in Dakar, Senegal.
• No specific publicly traded companies or investable securities were named in the discussion.