First patient enrolled in Bundibugyo Ebola treatment trial as DRC response expands
An experimental treatment study has begun amid an escalating outbreak, offering hope as health authorities continue to manage rising case numbers
The first patient has been enrolled in a clinical trial evaluating potential treatments for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), marking a significant milestone in the global response to an outbreak that has claimed hundreds of lives.
Announcing the development, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the study represented an important step towards identifying effective therapies for a virus strain that currently has no approved vaccine or treatment.
The WHO said the trial would assess the safety and effectiveness of the experimental monoclonal antibody MBP134, developed by Mapp Biopharmaceutical, both as a standalone therapy and in combination with the antiviral drug Remdesivir, manufactured by Gilead Sciences.
More than 1,000 patients are expected to participate in the study, which is likely to take several months to complete.
The WHO said sufficient supplies of both investigational medicines were currently available for the trial. Gilead has donated an additional 2,000 vials of Remdesivir, supplementing an earlier emergency donation made in June, while discussions are ongoing to ensure continued patient access should the treatments prove safe and effective.
The trial begins against the backdrop of a worsening outbreak. According to the WHO, the DRC has recorded more than 1,400 confirmed cases of Bundibugyo Ebola, including 438 deaths, with an average of 38 new confirmed infections reported each day over the past two weeks.
The development represents the first structured effort to evaluate targeted therapies against the Bundibugyo strain, which differs from the Zaire strain responsible for previous outbreaks where licensed vaccines and treatments have been available.
Despite progress in expanding the clinical response, WHO officials warned that the outbreak continued to face major operational challenges. Dr Tedros said mistrust within communities and ongoing violence remained significant obstacles after an attack on an Ebola treatment centre in Ituri Province left two people dead.
The WHO also reported improvements in diagnostic and treatment capacity. Ten laboratories are now able to test for Ebola, while approximately 80% of identified contacts are being monitored. Treatment capacity has increased to 650 beds, with plans to establish a further 300 as demand continues to grow.
Last week, ITIJ reported that the estimated cost of responding to the outbreak had risen to US$1.4 billion as case numbers climbed, highlighting the enormous financial and logistical demands facing governments, humanitarian organisations, and international health agencies as they work to contain the epidemic.
The development comes as neighbouring Uganda continues to strengthen surveillance for viral haemorrhagic fevers linked to the regional outbreak. This week, Ugandan health authorities confirmed an isolated case of Marburg virus disease detected during Ebola surveillance, although no secondary cases have been identified and officials say there is no active Marburg outbreak.