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SII-Oxford's COVID-Style First Ebola Bundibugyo Vaccine Enters Human Trials: All About The ChAdOx1 Jab

SII-Oxford's COVID-Style 1st Ebola Bundibugyo Vaccine Enters Human Trials: All About The ChAdOx1 Jab

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is battling its 17th <span>Ebola outbreak</span>, caused by the rare <span>Bundibugyo strain</span>, which has become the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak in the continent's history.

Declared on May 14, 2026, the outbreak has rapidly expanded, with 1,873 confirmed cases and 672 deaths reported across five provinces, according to the country's health authorities.

Unlike the more common Zaire strain of Ebola, the <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/ebola-bundibugyo-outbreak-uk-scientists-identify-23-unique-mutations-article-154511125" data-type="tilCustomLink">Bundibugyo strain</a> currently has no approved vaccine or antiviral treatment. 

Earlier this month, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced the launch of a clinical trial evaluating two potential treatments. 

"The <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/bundibugyo-ebola-outbreak-who-identifies-experimental-treatments-vaccines-article-154426784" data-type="tilCustomLink">PARTNERS trial</a> will evaluate the monoclonal antibody MBP134 and the antiviral drug remdesivir, alone and in combination," he said. 

Now, researchers have reached another major milestone. The first vaccine candidate targeting the Bundibugyo Ebola virus (BDBV)—developed by the University of Oxford and manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII) with support from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI)—has entered Phase 1 human clinical trials.

The UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved the study, which will evaluate the vaccine in healthy adult volunteers. 

<h2>What Is The Chadox1 BDBV Vaccine? </h2>

<strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/ebola-bundibugyo-strain-all-you-should-know-about-the-rare-virus-article-154341776" data-type="tilCustomLink"><strong>Ebola Bundibugyo Strain: All You Should Know About The Rare Virus</strong></a>

The University of Oxford has developed an experimental vaccine candidate called ChAdOx1 BDBV, designed specifically to protect against the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola. 

The vaccine uses the same ChAdOx1 viral vector platform that formed the basis of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. It is reportedly the first of four Bundibugyo Ebola vaccine candidates currently under development to enter human clinical trials. 

The vaccine uses a genetically modified chimpanzee adenovirus (ChAdOx1)—a harmless virus that normally causes the common cold in chimpanzees—as a delivery vehicle. 

Scientists have inserted genetic material from the <span>Ebola Bundibugyo</span> virus into this harmless virus. Once injected in humans, the modified virus trains the immune system to recognize the Ebola virus and produce protective antibodies and fight the infection. 

The vaccine has already shown promising results in mice and macaque monkeys and is being manufactured to clinical standards by the Serum Institute of India, which has already produced and stockpiled around 620,000 doses.

Based on the preclinical data, the UK's MHRA approved the vaccine to move into human trials.

<strong>Read More: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/ebola-outbreak-the-unusual-symptoms-seen-in-patients-infected-with-bundibugyo-article-154757437" data-type="tilCustomLink">Ebola Outbreak: The Unique Symptoms Seen In Patients Infected With Bundibugyo</a></strong>

<h2>ChAdOx1 BDBV Vaccine: Phase 1 human trial </h2>

The Oxford researchers will recruit 50 healthy adults aged 18 to 55 years in the UK for the Phase 1 trial, with the first doses expected to be administered within weeks. 

Scientists are also working with partners in Uganda to prepare future clinical trials in Africa. Participants will be monitored for one year, although researchers expect to know much sooner whether the vaccine generates the desired immune response and whether any unexpected side effects occur. 

"We're doing phase one (early stage) trials of new vaccines all of the time, precisely to be ready for exactly this kind of outbreak," Dr Katrina Pollock, the chief investigator of the trial at the University of Oxford, told the BBC.

<h2>Can A Single-dose Vaccine Work? </h2>

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Researchers are also exploring preventive vaccination strategies for healthcare workers and people who have been in close contact with infected patients.

One such approach is ring vaccination, in which individuals surrounding a confirmed Ebola case are vaccinated or given preventive treatment to stop further spread. 

The goal is to develop a single-dose vaccine, similar to the licensed vaccine against the Ebola Zaire strain.

Scientists believe that both antibodies and T cells—immune cells that recognize and destroy infected cells—will play an important role in protection, although long-term immunity against the Bundibugyo strain is not yet fully understood. 

"Pre-clinical models for these pathogens have already shown that a single-dose vaccine can protect animals. So, we are optimistic that a one-shot vaccine is achievable," Prof Teresa Lambe, Head of Vaccine Immunology, Oxford Vaccine Group, Pandemic Sciences Institute, University of Oxford, told The Indian Express. 

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The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is battling its 17th Ebola outbreak, caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain, which has become the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak in the continent's history. Declared on May 14, 2026, the outbreak has rapidly expanded, with 1,873 confirmed cases and 672 deaths reported across five provinces, according to the country's health authorities. Unlike the more common Zaire strain of Ebola, the Bundibugyo strain currently has no approved vaccine or antiviral treatment. Earlier this month, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced the launch of a clinical trial evaluating two potential treatments. "The PARTNERS trial will evaluate the monoclonal antibody MBP134 and the antiviral drug remdesivir, alone and in combination," he said. Now, researchers have reached another major milestone. The first vaccine candidate targeting the Bundibugyo Ebola virus (BDBV)—developed by the University of Oxford and manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII) with support from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI)—has entered Phase 1 human clinical trials. The UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved the study, which will evaluate the vaccine in healthy adult volunteers. What Is The Chadox1 BDBV Vaccine? Also read: Ebola Bundibugyo Strain: All You Should Know About The Rare VirusThe University of Oxford has developed an experimental vaccine candidate called ChAdOx1 BDBV, designed specifically to protect against the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola. The vaccine uses the same ChAdOx1 viral vector platform that formed the basis of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. It is reportedly the first of four Bundibugyo Ebola vaccine candidates currently under development to enter human clinical trials. How Does The Vaccine Work? The vaccine uses a genetically modified chimpanzee adenovirus (ChAdOx1)—a harmless virus that normally causes the common cold in chimpanzees—as a delivery vehicle. Scientists have inserted genetic material from the Ebola Bundibugyo virus into this harmless virus. Once injected in humans, the modified virus trains the immune system to recognize the Ebola virus and produce protective antibodies and fight the infection. The vaccine has already shown promising results in mice and macaque monkeys and is being manufactured to clinical standards by the Serum Institute of India, which has already produced and stockpiled around 620,000 doses. Based on the preclinical data, the UK's MHRA approved the vaccine to move into human trials.Read More: Ebola Outbreak: The Unique Symptoms Seen In Patients Infected With BundibugyoChAdOx1 BDBV Vaccine: Phase 1 human trial The Oxford researchers will recruit 50 healthy adults aged 18 to 55 years in the UK for the Phase 1 trial, with the first doses expected to be administered within weeks. Scientists are also working with partners in Uganda to prepare future clinical trials in Africa. Participants will be monitored for one year, although researchers expect to know much sooner whether the vaccine generates the desired immune response and whether any unexpected side effects occur. "We're doing phase one (early stage) trials of new vaccines all of the time, precisely to be ready for exactly this kind of outbreak," Dr Katrina Pollock, the chief investigator of the trial at the University of Oxford, told the BBC. Can A Single-dose Vaccine Work?       Researchers are also exploring preventive vaccination strategies for healthcare workers and people who have been in close contact with infected patients. One such approach is ring vaccination, in which individuals surrounding a confirmed Ebola case are vaccinated or given preventive treatment to stop further spread. The goal is to develop a single-dose vaccine, similar to the licensed vaccine against the Ebola Zaire strain. Scientists believe that both antibodies and T cells—immune cells that recognize and destroy infected cells—will play an important role in protection, although long-term immunity against the Bundibugyo strain is not yet fully understood. "Pre-clinical models for these pathogens have already shown that a single-dose vaccine can protect animals. So, we are optimistic that a one-shot vaccine is achievable," Prof Teresa Lambe, Head of Vaccine Immunology, Oxford Vaccine Group, Pandemic Sciences Institute, University of Oxford, told The Indian Express. 

sii-oxford's covid-style 1st ebola bundibugyo vaccine enters human trials: all about the chadox1 jab

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SII-Oxford's COVID-Style First Ebola Bundibugyo Vaccine Enters Human Trials: All About The ChAdOx1 Jab

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The Role Of Adolescent Reproductive Health Education In Building A Healthier Population

SII-Oxford's COVID-Style First Ebola Bundibugyo Vaccine Enters Human Trials: All About The ChAdOx1 Jab

Not Coral Reefs, Fishes Inhabiting Seagrass Meadows Could Play A Key Role In Fighting Malnutrition: Study