DRC, July 12, 2026 – In an unprecedented response to the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the first patients have been enrolled in a groundbreaking clinical trial to combat the disease.
The PARTNERS trial, initiated just six weeks after the WHO declared the outbreak a public health emergency, is evaluating the antiviral therapies MBP134 and remdesivir in the hope of reducing the mortality rate of the Bundibugyo strain, which currently has no approved treatment.
With 1,792 confirmed cases and 625 deaths as of July 9, the urgency of the trial is underscored by the rapid deployment of research efforts.
The trial’s swift establishment is a testament to the international community’s commitment to addressing the crisis.
MBP134, a monoclonal antibody developed by Mapp Biopharmaceutical, and remdesivir, produced by Gilead Sciences, have shown promise in animal models. Prof.
Laurens Liesenborghs of the Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, is leading the trial, which also includes the evaluation of combined treatments and the potential for other interventions.
The trial’s quick launch is a critical step towards finding a solution for the current outbreak and preparing for future ones.
The hope is that the research will lead to effective treatments for the Bundibugyo strain, which has a mortality rate of about one in three.
As the trial progresses, it is expected to provide valuable insights into the treatment of the Bundibugyo virus disease, potentially saving lives and reducing the impact of future outbreaks.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: The guardian
Source: Kat Lay, Global health correspondent and Prosper Heri in Bunia
