Urgent Trial in Congo Tests Key Therapies Against Deadly Bundibugyo Virus

In a critical global health effort, the PARTNERS clinical trial has officially begun enrolling patients in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to test the effectiveness of two promising antiviral therapies against the deadly Bundibugyo Virus Disease (BVD). This adaptive platform trial, launched on July 2-3, 2026, aims to find the first approved treatment for BVD, a severe form of Ebola virus disease, which has no specific licensed therapies or vaccines to date. With over 1,400 cases and nearly 440 deaths reported in the DRC alone since the outbreak started, finding effective treatments is paramount. The PARTNERS trial is evaluating a monoclonal antibody called MBP134 and the antiviral drug remdesivir, both individually and in combination, to see if they can improve survival rates for those infected. While remdesivir gained recognition for treating COVID-19, and MBP134 is an investigational antibody engineered to target multiple Ebola virus species, neither has been specifically approved for BVD. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the current BVD outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in May 2026, underscoring the urgent need for a scientific breakthrough to combat this rapidly spreading, highly fatal disease. Coordinated by the WHO, the Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale (INRB) in the DRC, and other international partners, this trial is designed to gather evidence during an active outbreak, a crucial shift from traditional research timelines. Researchers anticipate it will take several months, possibly into next year, to yield definitive results, with a goal of enrolling over 1,000 participants. The success of PARTNERS could not only provide a lifeline to patients in the DRC but also establish a vital framework for responding to future filovirus outbreaks globally.