OSLO/ CAMBRIDGE MA, 9 June—CEPI has partnered with Public Health Vaccines, LLC. (PHV) to rapidly advance early-stage development of a vaccine candidate against the Bundibugyo ebolavirus in response to the ongoing epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and neighbouring Uganda that has been declared both a continental and global health emergency.
CEPI is providing $1.9 million funding to long-standing partner PHV to quickly generate starting vaccine research material, known as Master Viral Seed (MVS) stock*, needed to advance the company’s investigational Bundibugyo virus vaccine into clinical testing.
The Bundibugyo outbreak has already resulted in more than 560 confirmed cases and over 100 confirmed deaths. There are no licensed vaccines against Bundibugyo virus and none in clinical development.
The vaccine candidate uses the recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (rVSV) — an animal virus that cannot sicken people — as a vector, or carrier, to deliver genetic instructions that could teach the immune system to recognise and respond to Bundibugyo virus infection. This is the same platform technology used in an already licensed vaccine against Zaire ebolavirus.
“This epidemic is a stark reminder of how quickly deadly viruses can spread, especially in communities already under immense strain. Vaccines could play an important role in bringing the outbreak under control,” said Dr Richard Hatchett, CEO of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI). “The rVSV platform has demonstrated its value when responding to previous Zaire ebolavirus outbreaks – and this same technology could now be vital in saving lives against Bundibugyo. As the vaccine platform relies on specialised processes and critical inputs like master viral seed stocks which take time to establish and scale, it’s pivotal this work starts now to accelerate the path to clinical trials.”
Michael McGinnis, Chief Business Officer of PHV, stated, “We are grateful for the opportunity to expand our existing partnership with CEPI to now include our Bundibugyo ebolavirus vaccine candidate and look forward to making a meaning contribution to this and future outbreaks. We appreciate and are supportive of CEPI’s efforts to quickly mobilize global resources to impact this deadly infectious disease threat.”
If successful, CEPI anticipates working with PHV to support clinical trials that could ultimately generate data for emergency use authorisation or licensure. Under the terms of this partnership, Public Health Vaccines has committed to enabling rapid, affordable supply of a successful Bundibugyo virus vaccine to affected countries and to the populations that need them.
CEPI’s response to Bundibugyo virus
PHV’s vaccine candidate is the fourth CEPI investment in a portfolio of investigational Bundibugyo virus vaccines. Investing now, and in parallel, across multiple candidates and vaccine platforms increases the chances of delivering safe and effective Bundibugyo vaccines at speed. CEPI continues to evaluate additional promising candidates to strengthen the portfolio, including through Call for Proposals open until 12 June 2026**.
CEPI has rapidly mobilised human, technical, and financial resources to support R&D within nationally-led responses. This includes activating global networks of laboratories and clinical trial partners; modelling outbreak scenarios for clinical trial design; mobilizing manufacturing partners; and engaging regulators to align on regulatory pathways. CEPI is closely coordinating with Gavi, the World Bank, and development finance institutions on potential surge financing beyond CEPI – including Gavi’s First Response Fund - for downstream manufacturing and vaccine procurement, contingent on trial outcomes.
This epidemic, alongside the recent Hantavirus outbreak, underscores the urgent need to prepare in advance and sustainably invest in scientific innovation to ensure the world is ready to respond to future epidemic and pandemic threats.
CEPI is already working with PHV to develop a vaccine candidate against Nipah virus, using the same rVSV vaccine platform.
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Notes to Editors
*A master virus seed refers to the original, highly-controlled stock of the ‘vector’ used as a delivery vehicle – in this case rVSV - that scientists use as source material for producing new vaccines or other medical products. It acts as a master copy, helping ensure all future batches of vaccines or other medical tools for use in clinical trials or later real-world use are derived from a consistent, safe and well-characterised source.
** To support vaccine efforts, we are also seeking scientific proposals for epidemiology, modelling and analytics to support our outbreak response efforts, alongside research support for the immunological and clinical assessment of potential cross-reactive antibodies induced by existing Ebola vaccines. The call is open to global applicants until 22 June 2026 with special consideration for groups based in Africa.
About CEPI
CEPI is an innovative partnership between public, private, philanthropic and civil organisations. Its mission is to accelerate the development of vaccines and other biologic countermeasures against epidemic and pandemic threats so they can be accessible to all people in need. Central to CEPI’s pandemic-beating plan is the ‘100 Days Mission’ to develop safe, effective and accessible vaccines against new threats in just 100 days. CEPI is seeking $2.5 billion to execute CEPI 3.0, its 2027-2031 strategy which will systematically reduce the likelihood, impact and cost of epidemics and pandemics by driving the 100 Days Mission towards an operational reality. Learn more at CEPI.net.
About Public Health Vaccines
Public Health Vaccines, LLC. (PHV), headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is a privately-held biotechnology company developing products for the prevention and control of emerging infectious diseases. The company’s primary focus has been on developing vaccines against high consequence pathogens utilizing the rVSV platform, including multiple vaccines against filoviruses (Marburg virus, Sudan ebolavirus and Bundibugyo ebolavirus) and a vaccine against the Paramyxovirus, Nipah virus.
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Public Health Vaccines
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