Rwanda has began a critical Phase 2 clinical trial of the Sabin Vaccine Institute’s investigational Marburg vaccine, marking a significant step in combating the ongoing outbreak.
The vaccine arrived on October 5, 2024, just one week after the outbreak was declared.
In a press conference held on Sunday, Health Minister Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, announced the trial’s launch, emphasizing its importance in protecting healthcare workers who have been disproportionately affected by the virus.
“Today, we’re receiving doses to protect our health workers and advance scientific tools to control this virus now and in the future,” Dr. Nsanzimana said.
The trial will target approximately 700 high-risk adults, primarily healthcare providers, across six clinical sites in Rwanda.
The Rwanda Biomedical Centre is sponsoring the trial, with Sabin Institute providing the investigational doses.
As of October 5, the outbreak had infected 46 people and claimed 12 lives, mostly among health workers in Kigali, with some cases in other districts.
The Marburg virus, part of the same family as Ebola, has a mortality rate of up to 88% and currently lacks licensed vaccines or treatments.
Amy Finan, CEO of Sabin Vaccine Institute, an American pharmaceutical, highlighted the rapid response in a statement, that, “We shipped vaccine doses within 7 days of being contacted by the Rwandan government. This swift emergency response demonstrates that a dedicated, collaborative group can achieve remarkable results when united by a common cause: to contain a lethal disease outbreak and prevent further loss of life.”
The single-dose vaccine, based on the cAd3 platform, has shown promising results in Phase 1 trials and ongoing Phase 2 trials in Uganda and Kenya.
Sabin’s manufacturing partner, ReiThera, an Italian pharmaceutical firm, produced and prepared the doses for shipment.
This vaccination effort represents a crucial component of Rwanda’s strategy to contain the outbreak, alongside ongoing public health measures.
As the situation develops, health authorities remain cautiously optimistic that early intervention will help curb the spread of this deadly virus.
