By Leopold Obi | leopoldk40@yahoo.com
The fight against Ebola disease has received a big boost following a $36 million funding award to support the development and manufacturing of a vaccine candidate targeting the deadly viral disease.
IAVI, a biomedical research organisation, announced that it had received $36 million from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), a US government agency, under a contract valued at up to $99 million. The funding will support the development, manufacturing and clinical evaluation of a single-dose vaccine candidate against Bundibugyo virus (BDBV), which causes Ebola disease.
Dr Mark Feinberg, president and CEO of IAVI, said the funding would strengthen preparedness for future Ebola outbreaks while advancing research partnerships and vaccine development.
“IAVI is bringing together organizations with highly complementary capabilities, including Hilleman Laboratories, SK bioscience of South Korea and Germany-based IDT Biologika, to accelerate development of our vaccine candidate, which addresses a critical unmet public health need,” Dr Feinberg said.
Scientists warn the current Ebola epidemic could become the largest on record with DRC Congo having so far recorded 10,060 confirmed cases and 4,887 deaths as of October 25, 2026, five months since the outbreak was confirmed in May. Kenya had reportedly recorded nine cases and two deaths.
Without any approved vaccines or specific treatments targeting the Bundibugyo strain, developing a single-dose vaccine capable of providing rapid protection to affected victims is certainly a major unmet public health demand.
The programme aims to make the vaccine candidate available for a planned ring vaccination trial in the DRC following Phase 1 clinical evaluation. Ring vaccination involves immunising people who have been in contact with an infected person, as well as their contacts, to help interrupt transmission.
The funding will support vaccine manufacturing for clinical evaluation and potential outbreak response, alongside clinical and regulatory activities, including a Phase-1 trial. If additional contract options are exercised, the programme will support manufacturing scale-up, preparedness for future outbreaks and the development of an updated vaccine candidate based on the viral variant responsible for the current outbreak.
Under IAVI’s leadership, the BARDA-funded programme will bring together four organisations to combine their expertise in vaccine development, manufacturing innovation and large-scale production.IAVI will oversee overall programme development, clinical development, regulatory strategy, engagement with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and preparedness planning.
Jaeyong Ahn, CEO of SK bioscience, said proactive preparation for infectious disease threats required sustained efforts to strengthen vaccine development and manufacturing capabilities. “This project brings together SK bioscience’s vaccine development expertise and IDT’s manufacturing capabilities with the complementary strengths of our global partners. By working closely with our partners to accelerate vaccine development and strengthen reliable supply capacity, we aim to contribute to global preparedness for future infectious disease outbreaks,” he added.
