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Experimental mRNA Vaccine Shows Promise Against Multiple Ebola Strains

lite News Desk 2 min read

At a glance

  • Chinese researchers developed a multivalent mRNA Ebola vaccine candidate
  • The vaccine was tested in mice and hamsters against three Ebola strains
  • Bundibugyo strain, involved in current outbreaks, is not covered by existing vaccines

Recent research has introduced a new mRNA vaccine candidate targeting several Ebola virus strains, addressing gaps in protection for strains not covered by current vaccines.

The vaccine, developed by a team in China, combines three Ebola virus glycoproteins and one nucleoprotein using lipid nanoparticles as the delivery method. This approach aims to provide broad protection against multiple orthoebolaviruses, including those responsible for recent outbreaks.

Testing was conducted in animal models, with mice receiving the vaccine before being exposed to Zaire ebolavirus (EBOV) and Bundibugyo virus (BDBV), and hamsters vaccinated prior to Sudan virus (SUDV) challenge. The study assessed both survival and viral clearance in these animals following exposure.

In the case of EBOV, all vaccinated mice survived and showed effective removal of the virus from their blood and vital organs. The vaccine also led to decreased viral loads in mice exposed to BDBV. For hamsters challenged with SUDV, those that received the vaccine maintained stable body weight and cleared the virus from their bloodstream.

What the numbers show

  • 100% survival rate in EBOV-challenged mice after vaccination
  • Protection in mice lasted approximately 17 months post-vaccination
  • Bundibugyo strain has caused two previous outbreaks: Uganda (2007) and DRC (2012

Existing licensed Ebola vaccines are designed primarily for the Zaire ebolavirus strain and do not provide coverage for the Bundibugyo variant. The Bundibugyo strain is currently responsible for outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, where no approved vaccine or treatment is available for this variant.

The Bundibugyo strain has only been linked to two earlier outbreaks, one in Uganda in 2007 and another in eastern DRC in 2012. The lack of approved vaccines for this strain has highlighted the need for broader protection strategies.

According to the published study, the protection offered by the vaccine in mice was observed to last for about 17 months after vaccination. The research findings were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences under the title “Multivalent mRNA vaccine platform with compatible antigens conferred broad-spectrum protection against orthoebolaviruses’ exposure.”.

The study demonstrates the potential for mRNA vaccine technology to address multiple Ebola virus strains, including those not targeted by current immunization options. The research focused on animal models and did not include human clinical trials at this stage.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.

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