Health · Public Health & Disease · 3 hrs ago
SK Bioscience and partners plan Bundibugyo Ebola vaccine
SK Bioscience is teaming up with international partners to develop a Bundibugyo Ebola vaccine.
The disease is spreading in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, where more than 10,000 cases and a 48% death rate had been recorded by the end of October, according to South Korea's disease control agency.
There is no vaccine or specific treatment for this strain, making a vaccine a potential tool against a serious health threat.
The US government agency BARDA will provide up to $99 million, including $36 million in confirmed early funding, for clinical and regulatory work, production and health security.
The partners aim to make a single-dose vaccine that builds immunity quickly and establish a reliable supply system.
SK Bioscience will scale up production, while IAVI will lead the programme and the Hilleman Institute will produce early clinical vaccine doses and transfer technology; the next steps include clinical and regulatory work, including a Phase 1 trial.
SK Bioscience and international partners plan to develop a vaccine against Bundibugyo Ebola with support from a US government agency.
The US Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority will provide up to $99 million, including $36 million in confirmed early funding.
The project aims to develop a vaccine that prompts a rapid immune response with one dose and to establish a stable supply system.
SK Bioscience will handle process scale-up and mass production, drawing on the manufacturing capacity of its German subsidiary IDT Biologika.
South Korea’s disease control agency said more than 10,000 cases had been reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda by the end of October, with 48% of patients dying.
- Who
- SK Bioscience, IAVI and the Hilleman Institute are collaborating on the project, with US government support.
- What
- They plan to develop a one-dose vaccine against Bundibugyo Ebola and build a stable supply system.
- When
- SK Bioscience announced the plan on October 29, 2026.
- Where
- The project targets Bundibugyo Ebola, which has been spreading in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and elsewhere; the article also cites cases in Uganda.
- Why
- The partners aim to address an infectious disease threat for which there is no specific vaccine or treatment.
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More than 10,000 Bundibugyo Ebola cases had been reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, with 48% of patients dying, according to South Korea’s disease control agency.
SK Bioscience announced plans to develop a Bundibugyo Ebola vaccine with international partners and US government support.
- Maximum BARDA support
- $99 million
- Confirmed early funding
- $36 million
- Reported cases
- More than 10,000 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda by the end of October
- Reported fatality share
- 48%
- Planned dose schedule
- One dose
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What people are saying
To respond proactively to infectious disease threats, developing vaccines and securing production capacity are of utmost importance.