A major international clinical trial aimed at finding effective treatments for Bundibugyo virus disease, a rare form of Ebola, has commenced in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The World Health Organisation said this in a recent statement. The development, according to the statement, raises hopes for improved survival during the country’s ongoing outbreak.

“The Platform Adaptive Randomised Trial for New and Repurposed Filovirus TreatmentS (PARTNERS) began enrolling patients on Thursday. To assess whether two antiviral therapies, monoclonal antibody MBP134 and the antiviral drug remdesivir, can reduce deaths among people infected with Bundibugyo virus disease,” it said.

It noted that the exercise was sponsored by WHO and the trial was being coordinated by the Institut National pour la Recherche Biomédicale (INRB) in the DRC, the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Belgium and the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.

It was supported by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and other international research, clinical and humanitarian partners.

“Researchers will also examine whether combining MBP134 and remdesivir provides greater therapeutic benefits than using either treatment alone, a strategy that could improve outcomes for patients battling the deadly disease.

“The trial comes as the DRC continues to grapple with a Bundibugyo virus outbreak that has infected more than 1,400 people. Nearly 210 patients have recovered, while about 440 people have died, underscoring the urgent need for effective treatment options.

“Although medicines have been developed to treat some forms of Ebola virus disease, there are currently no approved therapies specifically for Bundibugyo virus disease, and no single treatment has proven effective against all Ebola virus species,” it said.

According to it, the WHO Technical Advisory Group selected MBP134 and remdesivir for evaluation after reviewing available scientific evidence, including laboratory studies, safety data and lessons from previous Ebola outbreaks.

“Trial participants will receive close medical supervision and follow-up for at least 28 days after enrolment.

The WHO director-general, Tedros Ghebreyesus, said the trial offers hope for patients and affected communities despite the absence of approved therapeutics for the disease.

Mr Ghebreyesus noted that while some patients recover without specific treatment, effective medicines could save many more lives.

(NAN)