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

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.

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.

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.

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.