Nigeria indicates interest to participate in clinical trials for two EVD vaccines

Following the Treatment Research Group (TRG) recommendation and in consultation with NAFDAC and NHREC, Nigeria has indicated interest to participate in the clinical trials for two candidate EVD vaccines and are considering a third that may be added to the list. This move comes as Nigeria have also applied for experimental drugs such as TKM-Ebola.

The TRG has submitted a detailed profile and brief on the oral antiviral agent which the Japanese Government has offered to make available to affected countries through the WHO.

Speaking with BusinessDay, Onyebuchi Chukwu, Minister of Health, “We are now considering this profile and brief to enable us reach a final decision on making it available to our patients. Our initial knowledge of the agent is that it has been shown to have strong antiviral activity against the influenza virus following phases I and II human trials, it is now going through phase III clinical trials; it is shown to have strong antiviral property against Ebola Virus in vitro and in vivo.

“These and the fact that it is considered safe, having passed through phases I and II clinical trials, makes it a good candidate drug for use in emergency situations as the EVD.”

Alexander Chiejina