Hilleman Laboratories to develop and produce CEPI-backed Bundibugyo ebolavirus vaccine doses for clinical trials

OSLO/SINGAPORE, 30 July 2026—The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) is collaborating with Hilleman Laboratories, a Singapore-based joint venture of biopharmaceutical company MSD and charitable foundation Wellcome, to advance the development and manufacturing of Bundibugyo ebolavirus vaccine candidate doses for clinical trials using the recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (rVSV) platform.

With up to US$8.5 million in CEPI funding, Hilleman Laboratories will advance development and manufacture clinical supply of the investigational vaccine at the organisation’s vaccine production facility as scientists ramp up efforts to respond to one of the largest Ebola outbreaks on record, which is predominantly affecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Assuming early phase trials succeed, the partners are committed to swiftly transferring the vaccine technology to a large-scale vaccine manufacturer to produce additional doses, as needed, for later-stage trials. A further aim of the technology transfer would be to ensure rapid, affordable supply of doses in outbreak-affected countries and low- and middle-income settings if the vaccine is authorised for use.

“With Bundibugyo virus cases rising at worrying speed, the epidemic is fast becoming a humanitarian crisis,” said Dr Richard Hatchett, CEO, Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI). “No vaccine is currently approved against the virus, so we are urgently advancing vaccine candidates into testing. Built on the rVSV platform used in the licensed Zaire ebolavirus vaccine and supported by established manufacturing expertise from Hilleman and MSD, this vaccine candidate could become an important tool for Bundibugyo outbreak control and response.”

Hilleman Laboratories will initially take forward development of the rVSV Bundibugyo vaccine candidate starting material generated by IAVI with CEPI funding, and potentially other CEPI funded rVSV vaccine candidates in the future*. Hilleman will leverage know-how on the rVSV platform to develop and finalise the manufacturing process and subsequently produce clinical trial material. MSD will serve as a technical adviser to Hilleman Laboratories by contributing proprietary scientific and manufacturing expertise on the rVSV platform.** 

“Collaborating with CEPI, we’re developing the tools to help fight the Bundibugyo virus,” said Dr Raman Rao, Chief Executive Officer, Hilleman Laboratories. “Drawing on the latest vaccine technology and our ongoing development work to update the manufacturing process for the Zaire ebolavirus vaccine, we’re racing to develop a Bundibugyo vaccine and make doses for clinical trials.”

Hilleman Laboratories will adapt the updated manufacturing process currently in development for MSD’s WHO pre-qualified Zaire ebolavirus vaccine—which uses the rVSV platform—to accelerate the path to clinical trials for the Bundibugyo candidate. 

Supported by up to $30 million in CEPI funding announced earlier this year, the updated manufacturing process in development for MSD’s Zaire ebolavirus vaccine aims to increase yields and improve thermostability. If successful, this could potentially reduce the cost of the vaccine and enable refrigerated storage for several months, making it easier to deploy in outbreak settings, subject to regulatory review and public health requirements.

“Cross-sector collaboration is critical for addressing unmet global health needs and strengthening preparedness—including around Ebola—and we commend CEPI and Hilleman Laboratories on their efforts to develop a Bundibugyo vaccine candidate,” said Chirfi Guindo, MSD Shareholder Executive Leader, Hilleman Laboratories and Executive Vice President, Strategic Access, Policy & Communications, MSD. “By leveraging each partner’s unique strengths, we are hopeful the world will soon have a new tool to respond quickly and effectively to Bundibugyo outbreaks.”

“We urgently need to strengthen our toolkit against Bundibugyo. The outbreak is in a region faced with conflict, instability, and strained resources, making a holistic response essential.” said Charlie Weller, Head of Vaccines, Wellcome. “A new vaccine, alongside other interventions such as enhanced surveillance, community engagement, and the testing of diagnostics and treatments, will be vital. Learning lessons from previous outbreaks and the Zaire ebolavirus vaccine, this is a significant step towards developing an affordable vaccine that will reach the communities who need it most.”

Hilleman Laboratories is part of Singapore’s established biomedical sciences ecosystem, contributing to the country's vaccine research, development and manufacturing, with a focus on outbreak preparedness and response. In May 2026, Singapore pledged US$12 million to support CEPI’s work to transform the world's ability to prevent and respond to epidemic and pandemic threats.

— ENDS —

Notes to Editors

rVSV vaccines work by using a modified version of the VSV virus to teach the immune system to respond to the surface protein of the target pathogen, in this case Bundibugyo. The foundational technology behind rVSV Ebola vaccines was initially engineered by scientists at the Public Health Agency of Canada. The rVSV-Bundibugyo vaccine construct has shown encouraging results in preclinical research studies: (1), (2) and (3).

*Hilleman Laboratories will take forward development of the rVSV Bundibugyo vaccine starting material, known as the Master Virus Seed,  currently being generated by CEPI-backed rVSV vaccine developers. 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. It acts as a master copy, helping ensure all future batches of vaccines are derived from a consistent and well-characterised source. 

** In July 2026, CEPI, Hilleman Laboratories and MSD executed a Statement of Intent in which MSD is serving as a technical adviser by providing its proprietary scientific and manufacturing expertise on the rVSV platform to help enable rapid development of a Bundibugyo vaccine candidate. 

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 Hilleman Laboratories

Hilleman Laboratories was established in 2009 as a joint venture between MSD, a global research-driven biopharmaceutical company, and Wellcome, a global charitable foundation dedicated to human and animal health. Hilleman Laboratories’ mission is to develop affordable vaccines and biologics against infectious diseases that affect low- and middle-income countries.

The company’s expertise in end-to-end product development is targeted at creating novel vaccines and biologics in areas of high unmet need as well as adapting existing vaccines and biologics with more effective delivery tools to meet challenging environments in developing countries. Hilleman Laboratories also seeks to collaborate with local, regional, and global partners and stakeholders, including policymakers and governments, to facilitate wider, affordable access to life-saving vaccines and biologics. 

— Media contacts —

CEPI

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: +44 7387 055214

Hilleman Laboratories

Email: [email protected] and [email protected].