Moderna, known for its COVID-19 mRNA vaccine, is developing an investigational mRNA vaccine targeting the Bundibugyo ebolavirus species, which is driving an ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. The project has received up to $50 million in funding from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA).
The Bundibugyo ebolavirus is a rare strain first identified in 2007 in Uganda. The current outbreak, declared in 2025, has resulted in dozens of confirmed cases and deaths, according to the World Health Organization. No licensed vaccine currently exists for this species.
Moderna's vaccine candidate, mRNA-1345, uses the same mRNA platform as its COVID-19 vaccine. It encodes the viral glycoprotein to trigger an immune response. Preclinical studies in non-human primates showed protection against the virus, and Phase 1 clinical trials began in early 2026.
If successful, the vaccine could fill a critical gap in outbreak response. The WHO has prioritized the development of vaccines for all ebolavirus species, including Bundibugyo, which has a case fatality rate of around 25-50%.
