Research
Congo Ebola trial enrolls more than 250 participants to test preventive drug
The trial is testing obeldesivir in people exposed to Bundibugyo virus who have no symptoms.
More than 250 people have enrolled in a trial in eastern Congo testing whether Gilead’s experimental antiviral pill, obeldesivir, can prevent Ebola after exposure. The trial began in July and targets Bundibugyo virus, which the report says is responsible for the outbreak and has no approved vaccine or treatment.
Coordinated by medical nonprofit ALIMA, the study aims to recruit nearly 1,000 adults or children over the age of 12 who had contact with a confirmed case within the last five days and have no symptoms. Half will receive a placebo. Participants are monitored in person every day for 21 days, with a final phone call after 42 days. If they develop symptoms, ALIMA said they will immediately receive supportive treatment. The trial also includes Congo’s National Institute of Biomedical Research and France’s ANRS Emerging Infectious Diseases.
