Clinical trial launches to find first effective treatments for Bundibugyo virus disease
9 reported
The PARTNERS clinical trial has opened patient enrolment in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to evaluate potential treatments for Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus. Sponsored by the World Health Organization, the trial will assess two antiviral therapies — a monoclonal antibody called MBP134 and remdesivir — to determine if they improve survival among diagnosed patients. The trial will also examine whether combining the two antivirals provides additional benefits. Since the outbreak began, over 1,400 people have been diagnosed with Bundibugyo virus disease in the DRC, with nearly 210 recoveries and nearly 440 deaths. No treatments are currently approved for this specific virus type, though effective treatments exist for other Ebola virus diseases. The trial is coordinated by the Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale in the DRC, the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Belgium, and the University of Oxford, in collaboration with international partners and Africa CDC. Patients enrolled will receive close support and follow-up for at least 28 days, and the trial is designed to allow additional treatments to be added as they become available.
What’s reported
The PARTNERS trial has opened enrolment for patients in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The trial will assess two antiviral therapies: a monoclonal antibody (MBP134) and remdesivir.
It will also evaluate whether combining the two antivirals provides additional benefits.
Over 1,400 people have been diagnosed with Bundibugyo virus disease in the DRC during the current outbreak.
Nearly 210 people have recovered and nearly 440 people have died from the disease.
No treatments are currently approved for Bundibugyo virus disease.
The trial is sponsored by the World Health Organization and coordinated by INRB, the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Belgium, and the University of Oxford.
Patients will receive close support and follow-up for at least 28 days after enrolment.
The trial is a platform trial, allowing additional treatments to be added after assessment by the WHO Technical Advisory Group.
Key figures
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General
Professor Amanda Rojek, PARTNERS Trial Operations Lead and Associate Professor of Health Emergencies, Pandemic Sciences Institute, University of Oxford
Prof Jean-Jacques Muyembe-Tamfum, Director-General of the Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale (INRB)
Dr Samuel Roger Kamba, Minister of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Sources: World Health Organization
