Moderna has been awarded $50 million to develop an mRNA-based vaccine targeting the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, as officials move to urgently accelerate development in response to a raging outbreak. The funding comes from an undisclosed source, according to Ars Technica.
The initiative focuses on a lesser-known strain that has sparked renewed concern among global health authorities. This marks the latest effort to leverage messenger RNA technology, which proved effective during the COVID-19 pandemic, against emerging viral threats.
Moderna will use the funds to advance preclinical and early clinical work, though specific timelines remain unspecified. The company has not disclosed whether existing mRNA platform designs will be adapted from its earlier Ebola programs.
Should the vaccine prove safe and effective, it could provide a critical tool for containing future outbreaks of the Bundibugyo strain. However, development hurdles and regulatory approval processes could delay widespread deployment.
Some experts caution that rapid development may compromise safety oversight, though no specific criticisms were detailed in the source.