The Serum Institute of India (SII) has joined hands with the University of Oxford and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) to accelerate the development of an experimental vaccine targeting the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus, a deadly pathogen currently driving outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda. CEPI has committed up to 8.6 million USD to support the vaccine's advancement toward clinical testing.
The vaccine candidate, known as ChAdOx1 Bundibugyo, is based on the same adenoviral vector technology that was used in the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. Under the collaboration, Serum Institute will manufacture clinical trial doses while Oxford researchers continue preclinical development and regulatory preparations.
The funding announcement comes amid growing concern over the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in Central Africa. Unlike the more common Zaire strain of Ebola, which has approved vaccines available, there are currently no licensed vaccines or treatments specifically approved for Bundibugyo ebolavirus. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the ongoing outbreak in DRC and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
According to CEPI, the Oxford-SII vaccine is one of three promising candidates selected for accelerated development following a global review of available Bundibugyo vaccine technologies. The organization aims to move the most promising candidates into clinical trials as quickly as possible to strengthen outbreak preparedness.
Serum Institute CEO Adar Poonawalla said the company would leverage its large-scale manufacturing capabilities to rapidly produce vaccine doses and support equitable access if the vaccine proves successful. CEPI noted that the partnership combines Oxford's vaccine research expertise with SII's proven ability to manufacture vaccines at scale.
Health experts believe the ChAdOx1 Bundibugyo vaccine could potentially enter clinical evaluation within the next few months, making it one of the fastest-moving vaccine candidates currently under development against the outbreak strain.
The collaboration reinforces Serum Institute's expanding role in global epidemic preparedness, following its previous partnerships with Oxford and CEPI on vaccines for emerging infectious disease
