Pentagon Withdraws Ebola Vaccine Funding

Two companies leading the search to find a vaccine for Ebola have had their funding suspended by the Pentagon.

Ebola, often described as the most terrifying disease on earth is a hemorrhagic virus that causes internal bleeding, organ failure and death in 90% of cases. A recent small outbreak in Uganda has claimed 16 lives so far.

The main efforts to combat the disease are funded by the US Department of Defence and the National Institute of Health. Several vaccine candidates have been identified and have been effective in animal trials.

Two companies, Sarepta and Tekmira have just begun human clinical trials only to be told to stop work due to funding issues. The order was issued by the Department of Defence. Scientist say that without continued funding it is most unlikely a vaccine will be forthcoming.

Ebola virus Zaire

Ebola virus Zaire Electron micrograph of Ebola Zaire virus taken at the US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases

Gene Olinger, a virologist at the US Army Research Institute at Fort Derrick in Maryland stated:
” With funding I would say there would be a vaccine in 5-7 years, that could triple if the funding goes away”

Larry  Zeitlin, from Mapp pharmaceuticals, a small company working on Ebola therapies feels it is unlikely big pharma will get involved and take the research forward. ” there is not a huge client base at this point and big pharma like are only interested in big profits, it is the smaller companies that drive products for niche market bio defence” he stated recently.

You can bet you bottom dollar funding will be re-instated if Ebola makes it out of Africa.

Take care

Lizzie