KINSHASA – The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched the first international clinical trial for the deadly Bundibugyo Ebola strain, offering renewed hope to affected communities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The historic development was announced by WHO chief Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Thursday: the PARTNERS (Platform Adaptive Randomized Trial for New and Repurposed Filovirus Treatments) clinical trial has officially opened enrollment for patients in the DRC.
The trial aims to identify the first effective treatments for the Bundibugyo virus species, a rare and deadly form of Ebola for which there are currently no approved vaccines or therapeutics.
The trial comes as the DRC battles one of the largest recorded outbreaks of the Bundibugyo strain, which began in May. As of July 1, there were more than 1,400 confirmed cases and 438 deaths.
The most affected areas include the eastern provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu, and the outbreak has since spread to neighboring Uganda, complicating the regional response.
Professor Amanda Rojek, PARTNERS Trial Operations Lead from the University of Oxford, said that the trial is now testing two promising therapies, the antibody MBP134 and the antiviral remdesivir, to see if they can boost survival for Bundibugyo virus patients.
Professor Rojek confirmed that researchers are studying these treatments alone and together during the current outbreak, so that lifesaving answers can reach patients in months, not years.
“We urgently need treatments that can help people affected by Bundibugyo virus disease. The PARTNERS trial gives us an opportunity to evaluate potential treatments during the outbreak itself, so that the evidence generated can help inform patient care when it is needed most, in months rather than years,” said Prof Rojek.
DR Congo’s Health Minister, Dr. Samuel Roger Kamba, celebrated the trial as a meaningful step forward, bringing renewed hope to patients, families, and communities while reaffirming the nation’s dedication to science during this health crisis.
Even as insecurity and displacement complicate containment efforts, this scientific breakthrough stands as a powerful testament to resilience and the unwavering commitment to saving lives against all odds.
Meanwhile, WHO Director Dr. Tedros Adhanom noted that the PARTNERS trial, built in record time with local and global partners, offers real hope for delivering life-saving results directly to the communities at the heart of the outbreak.
Patients enrolled in the trial will receive comprehensive supportive care and close follow-up for at least 28 days, regardless of whether they receive the experimental treatments.
If you have a developing story, tip-off, or eyewitness account, reach out to our editorial team today.
📧 Email: westernpearlmedia@gmail.com
📞 Telephone / WhatsApp: +256 783 650 398
Let’s tell your story together—because every voice deserves to be heard.
About the Author
