Oxford Ebola Vaccine Enters Human Trials

Oxford University has launched the world’s first Phase 1 trial of a Bundibugyo-specific Ebola vaccine, ChAdOx1 BDBV, in the UK with 50 healthy adults, after a rapid eight-week development from concept to clinic. The first volunteer, 37-year-old Ed Hunt, received the shot in Oxford, marking a milestone as researchers seek to confirm safety and whether the vaccine elicits a protective immune response, with trials also planned in Uganda and the DR Congo. The vaccine uses the same viral-vector technology as the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine and was funded by CEPI, with the Serum Institute of India stockpiling around 620,000 doses to support rapid deployment if results are positive. No licensed vaccine exists for the Bundibugyo strain, which has caused several deadly outbreaks and is the focus of urgent development alongside other candidates. Oxford researchers note the speed is attributable to decades of prior research, and they expect additional smaller trials before larger efficacy studies, should early results look promising. The ongoing outbreak in the DRC and Uganda has already claimed more than 1,000 lives, underscoring the urgent public health need for a Bundibugyo-focused vaccine.