CEPI backs Minapharm Ebola vaccine with up to $16.5 million funding

• The funding will support laboratory work and an early-stage clinical trial to assess the vaccine's safety and immune response, with the candidate designed using ProBioGen's MVA-CR19 platform that relies on a weakened virus.
• Manufacturing will initially be split between Germany (active ingredient production by ProBioGen) and Egypt (completion and packaging by Minapharm), with plans to eventually move entire production to Egypt.
• CEPI aims to advance at least two Bundibugyo vaccines toward emergency authorization and WHO approval, with plans for larger efficacy studies if initial trials succeed.

CEPI Funds Minapharm's Ebola Vaccine Development with $16.5 Million

The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) has committed up to $16.5 million to Egypt-based Minapharm Group to advance an experimental Bundibugyo Ebola vaccine into human trials across Africa. The announcement was made on August 27, 2026.

Key Details

This marks CEPI's fifth vaccine investment responding to the Democratic Republic of Congo's ongoing outbreak, described as the country's largest and deadliest Ebola crisis. The funding will support laboratory research and early-stage clinical trials to evaluate the vaccine's safety and immune response capabilities.

Vaccine Development

The candidate was developed by Minapharm's Berlin-based subsidiary ProBioGen using the MVA-CR19 platform, which employs a weakened virus unable to replicate in human cells. The technology is designed to stimulate both antibody production and activate immune cells to eliminate infected cells.

Manufacturing Strategy

Initial production will involve ProBioGen manufacturing the active ingredient in Germany, with Minapharm handling final processing and packaging in Cairo. The partners plan to eventually consolidate the entire manufacturing operation in Egypt, supporting regional production capacity.

Market Implications

CEPI aims to advance at least two Bundibugyo vaccines toward emergency authorization and World Health Organization approval. If early trials prove successful, larger efficacy studies will follow to support emergency authorization applications. The initiative prioritizes rapid, affordable vaccine delivery to affected African nations.

This investment reflects continued global commitment to epidemic preparedness and expanding pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities in emerging markets, particularly for critical infectious disease threats in vulnerable regions.