The World Health Organisation (WHO) has identified three experimental treatments as priorities in the fight against the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, as health authorities respond to ongoing outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda.
The recommended treatments include Mapp Biopharmaceutical’s MBP134, Regeneron’s maftivimab, and Gilead Sciences’ antiviral drug remdesivir.
The WHO said the treatments, along with several vaccine candidates, should be evaluated through clinical trials to gather more data on their safety and effectiveness against the Bundibugyo virus.
According to the agency, there are currently no approved vaccines or therapies specifically designed for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola.
WHO officials and independent experts have been working to identify the most promising medical interventions as efforts intensify to contain the outbreak.
Regeneron confirmed that supplies of maftivimab are already available in the DRC and could be used immediately for treatment or included in future clinical studies.
For prevention, the WHO highlighted Gilead’s experimental oral antiviral drug obeldesivir as a priority option for post-exposure treatment among individuals who have come into contact with confirmed Ebola cases. However, the agency stressed that the success of the strategy would rely heavily on effective contact tracing systems.
Uganda has already moved to tighten border controls by closing its borders with the Democratic Republic of Congo in an effort to contain the spread of the virus.
Among vaccine candidates, the WHO identified a single-dose vaccine known as rVSV Bundibugyo, developed by the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, as the most promising option currently under development.
However, the agency noted that the vaccine is unlikely to be ready for clinical trials for another seven to nine months.
Another vaccine candidate, ChAdOx1 Bundibugyo, developed by Oxford University and the Serum Institute of India, could be ready for testing within two to three months, although additional animal studies are still required.
The WHO also reviewed the possible use of Merck’s Ervebo vaccine, currently the only licensed Ebola vaccine. However, the organisation advised that it should not be used outside research settings because evidence of its effectiveness against the Bundibugyo strain remains limited and inconclusive.
In addition, WHO advisers recommended exploring combination therapies involving monoclonal antibodies together with remdesivir.
The agency said it is working closely with authorities in the DRC and Uganda, as well as partners including the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), to design and implement clinical trials under strict ethical standards.