Trial of potential Ebola antiviral under way: WHO
The WHO has launched the first clinical trial for an experimental antiviral drug, obeldesivir, to treat individuals exposed to the Bundibugyo Ebola strain in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The trial aims to recruit 1,000 participants to test the drug's effectiveness as a post-exposure preventative measure.
Why it matters
As there are currently no approved treatments for this specific Ebola strain, this trial represents a critical effort to contain a deadly outbreak in a conflict-prone region.
Updated July 15, 2026, 7:01 a.m. | By AFP
The first clinical trial is under way of an antiviral drug's effectiveness in people exposed to the deadly Ebola strain spreading in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the WHO said Tuesday.
The trial, called EBO-PEP, aims to assess the effectiveness of the antiviral obeldesivir in post-exposure prophylaxis, for people who have been in contact with confirmed Bundibugyo cases.
The experimental drug, which is administered orally and was developed by the US pharma firm Gilead Sciences, has shown efficacy in pre-clinical models against viruses in the wider family of filoviruses that cause haemorrhagic fevers.
Clinical trials mark the stage where a promising drug is tested on humans.
World Health Organization director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus confirmed the launch of the trial in a post on X.
"Every breakthrough begins with hope," he wrote.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in