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Oxford Starts First Human Trial of Bundibugyo Ebola Vaccine

7/13/2026

Summary

Oxford Launches Trial

Oxford University launched the first human trial of the Bundibugyo Ebola vaccine.
The Phase 1 study will give the ChAdOx1 BDBV vaccine to 50 healthy adults aged 18-55 in Oxford to assess safety and immune response.
The Serum Institute of India has stockpiled about 620,000 doses and supplied 4,000 for the trial.
CEPI has committed up to $8.6 million, prompting WHO in May 2026 to recommend prioritizing the vaccine for clinical evaluation.

Summary

Oxford Designs Vaccine

Oxford scientists designed a Bundibugyo Ebola vaccine in eight weeks after the emergency was declared on 17 May 2026.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo Ebola epidemic has killed 625 people and recorded 1,792 laboratory-confirmed cases, with Bundibugyo causing two prior outbreaks and each strain needing its own vaccine.
The lack of approved therapeutics for Bundibugyo makes the new vaccine trial urgent in a conflict-zone outbreak with highly mobile populations.

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Oxford Launches Trial

Oxford University launched the first human trial of the Bundibugyo Ebola vaccine.
The Phase 1 study will give the ChAdOx1 BDBV vaccine to 50 healthy adults aged 18-55 in Oxford to assess safety and immune response.
The Serum Institute of India has stockpiled about 620,000 doses and supplied 4,000 for the trial.
CEPI has committed up to $8.6 million, prompting WHO in May 2026 to recommend prioritizing the vaccine for clinical evaluation.

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