Patient enrollment has officially commenced for the PARTNERS clinical trial in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, marking a significant international effort to evaluate potential treatments for Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD). Sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO), the platform trial will evaluate the efficacy of two antiviral therapies—the monoclonal antibody MBP134 and the antiviral medication remdesivir—as well as the potential benefits of using them in combination.
The trial is coordinated by a consortium of global health partners, including the Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale (INRB) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Belgium, and the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. Support for the initiative is provided by the Africa CDC, reflecting a collaborative approach to addressing the current outbreak. According to official figures, the outbreak has resulted in over 1,400 confirmed diagnoses, with nearly 440 deaths and approximately 210 recoveries reported in the region.
The Scientific Approach to BVD Treatment
Currently, there are no therapeutics specifically approved for Bundibugyo virus disease, nor has any single treatment demonstrated efficacy across all Ebola-related virus types. The PARTNERS (Platform Adaptive Randomised Trial for New and Repurposed Filovirus TreatmentS) trial aims to change this by testing treatments selected by the WHO Technical Advisory Group. This selection followed a comprehensive review of preclinical research, safety data, and insights gathered from previous outbreak responses.
The trial is structured as a platform study, a design that offers flexibility by allowing researchers to add new investigational treatments as they become available for assessment. “We urgently need treatments that can help people affected by Bundibugyo virus disease,” said Professor Amanda Rojek, PARTNERS Trial Operations Lead and Associate Professor of Health Emergencies at the University of Oxford’s Pandemic Sciences Institute. “The PARTNERS trial gives us an opportunity to evaluate potential treatments during the outbreak itself, so that the evidence generated can help inform patient care when it is needed most—in months rather than years.”
Clinical Integration and Patient Care
Enrollment is open to patients of any age with a confirmed diagnosis of BVD. Participants in the trial will receive close medical monitoring and follow-up for at least 28 days post-enrollment. Beyond the experimental therapies, participating treatment units are committed to providing standardized early supportive care, which includes fluid replacement, electrolyte management, oxygen therapy, blood pressure support, and pain management in accordance with established WHO guidelines.
Prof Jean-Jacques Muyembe-Tamfum, Director-General of the INRB, emphasized the importance of embedding research within the clinical response. “By integrating this trial into clinical care, we are giving patients access to promising investigational treatments while generating the evidence needed to improve care for current and future outbreaks,” he stated. The trial is delivered through a partnership involving the DRC Ministry of Public Health, ALIMA (The Alliance for International Medical Action), and medical teams from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).
A Commitment to Global Preparedness
The launch of the PARTNERS trial is viewed as a vital step in strengthening the global response to filovirus threats, including future potential Ebola and Marburg outbreaks. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, noted that while some patients recover without specific therapeutics, the trial offers a pathway to significantly improve survival rates. “The PARTNERS trial, established with national authorities and scientific partners in record time, offers real hope that we can deliver concrete results for—and with—the communities at the heart of the outbreak,” Dr. Tedros said.
For the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the initiative represents a prioritization of research-led public health. Dr. Samuel Roger Kamba, Minister of Health of the DRC, stated that the launch demonstrates a “strong commitment to science and research” and provides renewed hope for affected families and communities. The data collected during the study will undergo regular review by an independent data and safety monitoring board to ensure the ongoing safety of all participants.
Monitoring Future Updates
As the trial progresses, the research consortium intends to maintain a sustainable platform capable of operating across multiple outbreaks. The effectiveness of the monoclonal antibody MBP134 and remdesivir remains the primary focus of the initial phase. Further updates regarding the trial’s findings will be disseminated by the participating institutions and the World Health Organization as data becomes available. Those seeking detailed information on the participating organizations, including the Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale and the Pandemic Sciences Institute at the University of Oxford, can access their official portals for ongoing research updates.
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