Unitaid launches investment package for Bundibugyo Ebola response

Unitaid announced a new investment package of up to US$4.4 million on 10 July 2026 to help countries prepare for rapid access to promising new diagnostics and therapeutics for the Bundibugyo Ebola virus, should they prove safe and effective, while also supporting access to other critical health products needed for the ongoing response, according to a press release by Unitaid. The investment comes as promising new tools move through clinical evaluation following the Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. By preparing for access before these products become available, the package aims to help ensure they can reach affected communities without delay. It also strengthens readiness for future outbreaks. The package builds on four existing grants and partnerships already operating in the region.

The outbreak has highlighted significant gaps in available medical countermeasures. There are currently no approved vaccines or therapeutics for the Bundibugyo virus. Existing diagnostic tools have been unable to reliably detect it, delaying case identification and response. The package enables activities to begin immediately rather than waiting for new delivery mechanisms to be established. It also has the flexibility to expand activities through further investments should complementary funding become available.

The investments align with the WHO-Africa CDC Continental Preparedness and Response Plan and are being carried out in partnership with the WHO Interim Medical Countermeasures Network (iMCM-net). They will support the validation of new diagnostic tools capable of detecting the Bundibugyo virus and other recurrent hemorrhagic fever viruses. They will also strengthen market intelligence and forecasting for promising diagnostics and medicines for treatment and prevention. Access roadmaps will be developed to ensure rapid and equitable introduction. The package will also support innovative technologies to improve patient care and community engagement in the most affected areas.

The package builds on ongoing work with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI). Complementary grants with PATH and The Aurum Institute are being repurposed to support the Ebola Bundibugyo response.

“When new tools become available, countries shouldn’t have to wait months before they can use them,” said Unitaid Executive Director Philippe Duneton.

He added that building on existing partnerships and implementation platforms allows access preparations to begin now rather than after product approval. This positions countries to deploy promising diagnostics and medicines as quickly as possible if they prove effective.

By accelerating access to innovations during the current outbreak while helping strengthen preparedness for future ones, the investments are expected to benefit both affected countries and neighboring high-risk countries. The package addresses some of the most urgent access barriers facing the response. It reinforces coordination among key global health partners already active in the region. It also ensures that once new products are validated, they can be introduced without delay. The initiative reflects a proactive approach to outbreak preparedness and equitable access.