Researchers in eastern Congo have launched a clinical trial for two experimental Ebola treatments to combat the ongoing outbreak of the Bundibugyo virus. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Gilead Sciences’ remdesivir and Mapp Biopharmaceutical’s MBP134, as the virus has already claimed 438 lives out of more than 1,400 diagnosed cases.
Which treatments are being tested for Ebola?
The trial focuses on two specific therapeutic candidates, according to WHO research adviser Dr. Vasee Moorthy. The first is remdesivir, an antiviral developed by Gilead Sciences approved to treat COVID-19, which has shown some hints in lab tests that it may help fight the currently spreading virus. The second is MBP134, an experimental antibody treatment created by Mapp Biopharmaceutical engineered to target Ebola viruses including Bundibugyo.
Unlike other more common strains of the virus, there are currently no specific vaccines or treatments for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola.
How does the clinical trial process work?
Patients enrolled in the study receive the current standard of supportive care, according to the WHO. Participants are then randomly assigned to receive remdesivir, MBP134, both drugs, or neither. Dr. Moorthy stated that researchers will track survival outcomes for 28 days following the initiation of treatment to determine efficacy.
What are the challenges to medical research in Congo?
The trial is currently limited to a single treatment center in Congo’s Ituri province. This region has been hit hard by violence, including toward healthcare workers trying to fight a virus spread by contact with sick patients’ bodily fluids. Officials intend to expand to other locations once it is safe to do so.
Pro Tip: Why standard care matters
While experimental drugs are being tested, the WHO emphasizes that standard supportive care—especially if started early—is essential for recovery. More than 200 patients have already recovered through these established protocols.
What is the timeline for results?
Determining the effectiveness of these drugs may require months of data collection and as many as 1,000 participants, according to Dr. Moorthy. The trial is a collaborative effort involving Congo’s national biomedical research institute (INRB), Britain’s Oxford University, Antwerp’s Institute of Tropical Medicine and other international health groups.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a vaccine for this strain of Ebola?
No. According to the WHO, there are no specific treatments or vaccines for the Bundibugyo strain.
Who is funding the experimental treatments?
The U.S. government has funded MBP134 research and owns those doses. Gilead Sciences and the U.S. government have donated the drugs for the trial.
What happens if a drug is found to be effective?
If either proves effective, the next step would be ensuring patients can continue to access the treatment outside the study, according to the WHO.
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