Canada Approves Moderna Ebola Vaccine Trial

Canada has authorised US pharmaceutical giant Moderna to launch Phase 1 clinical trials for an mRNA-based vaccine targeting the deadly Bundibugyo Ebola strain, Health Canada announced Tuesday.

Researchers will administer the vaccine candidate to a group of healthy volunteers to evaluate safety, determine optimal dosage, and measure immune response.

Under a new partnership, Moderna will manufacture the vaccine directly on Canadian soil if the drug successfully advances past early testing phases.

The regulatory approval comes as an ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has claimed over 1,700 lives since May, prompting Canada to close its borders to recent travellers from the DRC on July 20.

Canada approves Moderna Ebola vaccine trial (News Central TV) — Canada approves Moderna Ebola vaccine trial. Credit: Reuters

Canada’s trials will coincide with international development efforts, such as candidate vaccines from Oxford University and Singapore-based Hilleman Laboratories, as there are currently no approved vaccines or targeted treatments for the Bundibugyo strain.

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Abisoye Adeyiga

Abisoye Adedoyin Adeyiga holds a PhD in Languages and Media Studies and a Master’s in Education (English Language). Trained in digital marketing and investigative journalism, she is passionate about new media’s transformative power. She enjoys reading, traveling, and meaningful conversations.