The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has called for an urgent $18 million in funding to commence clinical trials of Ebola therapeutics in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo).

The agency announced that trials of the Bundibugyo Ebola virus strain would begin this week in Bunia, warning that the response could falter without immediate funding.

The Africa CDC commended the DR Congo government and clinical researchers, including the World Health Organisation (WHO), ANRS, Oxford University, IAVI, CEPI, and Gilead Sciences, for their partnership in developing research programmes involving post-exposure prevention trials, treatment trials, and vaccine studies for the rare Ebola strain in Bunia.

However, the agency said financing remains a major challenge, with the agency raising $10 million out of the $26 million required for the therapeutics trials, leaving an $18 million funding gap.

“We have the science. We now need the funding to use it. Clinical trials must start this week, and every day of delay costs lives we could save,” Africa CDC Director General Dr Jean Kaseya said.

The money needed to complete the project includes $16 million for a post-exposure prophylaxis study among exposed contacts and an additional $2 million to $3 million required for contact tracing.

The Africa CDC has called on governments, development banks, and private organisations to provide the needed support due to the high economic cost of treatment from the virus.  

The agency warns that delays in financing could jeopardise preventive efforts and result in a high risk of transmission beyond the region due to the lack of licensed vaccines and treatment for the virus.

The ongoing outbreak of the Bundibugyo Ebola strain differs from previous Ebola outbreaks, with the first cases confirmed in Bunia, the capital city of Ituri Province, with over 100 deaths recorded as of June 10.

The agency said the investment would help Africa and the global community develop, test, and deploy medical solutions against emerging diseases while strengthening preparedness for future pandemics.