Health Canada authorizes mRNA vaccine trial for Ebola virus causing huge outbreak in Congo

Health Canada has given Moderna the green light to launch a clinical trial for a vaccine targeting the Bundibugyo form of the Ebola virus, which continues to surge throughout the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Federal officials announced the authorization for Moderna’s mRNA shot on Tuesday, making Canada just the second country to launch a Phase 1 clinical trial for a Bundibugyo vaccine candidate, after the U.K.

This form of the Ebola virus was long considered rare and has no approved vaccines or treatments. 

This year’s outbreak in Congo is already considered the second-deadliest on record — with more than 1,700 known deaths and more than 3,800 infections since mid-May, as health-care teams have struggled to get the fast-spreading outbreak under control. 

In a statement on Monday, Health Canada said Moderna’s clinical trial will assess its vaccine’s safety, determine the right dosing and identify any side-effects in trial participants. 

“Following this, Moderna would be required to conduct additional clinical trial phases before it could seek approval from Health Canada for the vaccine,” the statement continued. 

“Any final submission would need to meet Health Canada’s stringent safety, efficacy and quality standards before the vaccine could be allowed on the Canadian market.”

More to come