Hilleman Laboratories to develop and produce CEPI-backed Bundibugyo ebolavirus vaccine doses for clinical trials

30 Jul 2026 4 min read

Press release was issued by CEPI and Hilleman Labs.

OSLO/SINGAPORE — The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) is collaborating with Hilleman Laboratories, a Singapore-based joint venture of biopharmaceutical company MSD and charitable foundation Wellcome, to advance the development and manufacturing of Bundibugyo ebolavirus vaccine candidate doses for clinical trials using the recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (rVSV) platform.

With up to US$8.5 million in CEPI funding, Hilleman Laboratories will advance development and manufacture clinical supply of the investigational vaccine at the organisation’s vaccine production facility as scientists ramp up efforts to respond to one of the largest Ebola outbreaks on record, which is predominantly affecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Assuming early phase trials succeed, the partners are committed to swiftly transferring the vaccine technology to a large-scale vaccine manufacturer to produce additional doses, as needed, for later-stage trials. A further aim of the technology transfer would be to ensure rapid, affordable supply of doses in outbreak-affected countries and low- and middle-income settings if the vaccine is authorised for use.

"With Bundibugyo virus cases rising at worrying speed, the epidemic is fast becoming a humanitarian crisis. No vaccine is currently approved against the virus, so we are urgently advancing vaccine candidates into testing. Built on the rVSV platform used in the licensed Zaire ebolavirus vaccine and supported by established manufacturing expertise from Hilleman and MSD, this vaccine candidate could become an important tool for Bundibugyo outbreak control and response.”

Dr Richard Hatchett

CEO

Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI)

Hilleman Laboratories will initially take forward development of the rVSV Bundibugyo vaccine candidate starting material generated by IAVI with CEPI funding, and potentially other CEPI funded rVSV vaccine candidates in the future. Hilleman will leverage know-how on the rVSV platform to develop and finalise the manufacturing process and subsequently produce clinical trial material. MSD will serve as a technical adviser to Hilleman Laboratories by contributing proprietary scientific and manufacturing expertise on the rVSV platform.

"Collaborating with CEPI, we’re developing the tools to help fight the Bundibugyo virus. Drawing on the latest vaccine technology and our ongoing development work to update the manufacturing process for the Zaire ebolavirus vaccine, we’re racing to develop a Bundibugyo vaccine and make doses for clinical trials."

Dr Raman Rao

CEO

Hilleman Laboratories

Hilleman Laboratories will adapt the updated manufacturing process currently in development for MSD’s WHO pre-qualified Zaire ebolavirus vaccine—which uses the rVSV platform—to accelerate the path to clinical trials for the Bundibugyo candidate.

Supported by up to $30 million in CEPI funding announced earlier this year, the updated manufacturing process in development for MSD’s Zaire ebolavirus vaccine aims to increase yields and improve thermostability. If successful, this could potentially reduce the cost of the vaccine and enable refrigerated storage for several months, making it easier to deploy in outbreak settings, subject to regulatory review and public health requirements.

"Cross-sector collaboration is critical for addressing unmet global health needs and strengthening preparedness—including around Ebola—and we commend CEPI and Hilleman Laboratories on their efforts to develop a Bundibugyo vaccine candidate. By leveraging each partner’s unique strengths, we are hopeful the world will soon have a new tool to respond quickly and effectively to Bundibugyo outbreaks."

Chirfi Guindo

MSD Shareholder Executive Leader, Hilleman Laboratories

Executive Vice President, Strategic Access, Policy & Communications, MSD

"We urgently need to strengthen our toolkit against Bundibugyo. The outbreak is in a region faced with conflict, instability, and strained resources, making a holistic response essential. A new vaccine, alongside other interventions such as enhanced surveillance, community engagement, and the testing of diagnostics and treatments, will be vital. Learning lessons from previous outbreaks and the Zaire ebolavirus vaccine, this is a significant step towards developing an affordable vaccine that will reach the communities who need it most."

Charlie Weller

Head of Vaccines

Wellcome

Hilleman Laboratories is part of Singapore’s established biomedical sciences ecosystem, contributing to the country's vaccine research, development and manufacturing, with a focus on outbreak preparedness and response. In May 2026, Singapore pledged US$12 million to support CEPI’s work to transform the world's ability to prevent and respond to epidemic and pandemic threats.