The PARTNERS clinical trial has opened enrolment today for patients in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The trial will assess two antiviral therapies—MBP134, a monoclonal antibody, and remdesivir—alone and in combination, to improve survival among people diagnosed with Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD).
Trial Overview and Objectives
The PARTNERS (Platform Adaptive Randomised Trial for New and Repurposed Filovirus TreatmentS) trial is a major international effort to evaluate potential treatments for Ebola disease due to BVD. Sponsored by WHO, it is coordinated by 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, in collaboration with international research, clinical and humanitarian partners, and supported by Africa CDC.
According to WHO, the trial will assess whether MBP134 and remdesivir can improve survival among people diagnosed with BVD, and whether combining the two provides additional benefits. The randomized, controlled trial is enrolling patients of any age with confirmed BVD. Participating treatment units will provide patients with early supportive care, including oral or intravenous fluids, electrolyte replacement, oxygen support, blood pressure management, and pain control in line with WHO treatment guidelines.
The Current BVD Outbreak in DRC
Since the start of the outbreak, over 1,400 people have been diagnosed with BVD, nearly 210 have recovered, and nearly 440 have died of the disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, according to WHO. While effective treatments have been developed for Ebola virus disease, none are currently approved for BVD, and no treatment has been shown to work across all virus types that cause Ebola diseases.
Treatment Selection and Trial Design
The treatments were selected for the trial by the WHO Technical Advisory Group after a thorough review of scientific evidence, including preclinical research and safety data, and evidence from previous outbreak responses. People enrolled in the clinical trial will be provided with close support and follow-up for at least 28 days after enrolment.
The trial has been established as a platform trial, which allows for additional treatments to be added as they become available following assessment by the WHO Technical Advisory Group.
| Treatment | Type | Selected by |
|---|---|---|
| MBP134 | Monoclonal antibody | WHO Technical Advisory Group |
| Remdesivir | Antiviral | WHO Technical Advisory Group |
Quotes from Key Leaders
“Even without approved therapeutics, people are recovering from this disease, but of course, we could save many more lives with safe and effective therapeutics in our toolkit,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “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.”
Prof Amanda Rojek, PARTNERS Trial Operations Lead and Associate Professor of Health Emergencies at the Pandemic Sciences Institute, University of Oxford, stated: “We urgently need treatments that can help people affected by Bundibugyo virus disease. One of the key lessons from recent outbreaks is that research needs to happen alongside the response, not after it. 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.”
Prof Jean-Jacques Muyembe-Tamfum, Director-General of the INRB, added: “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.”
Dr Samuel Roger Kamba, Minister of Health of the DRC, commented: “In responding to Bundibugyo virus disease, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is demonstrating its strong commitment to science and research. The launch of the PARTNERS clinical trial represents a significant step forward, offering renewed hope to patients, their families, and affected communities. Findings from this study could contribute to global efforts to combat Ebola diseases.”
Production Timeline
Enrolment began on 2 July 2026, the date the trial opened. Patients enrolled will receive follow-up for at least 28 days after enrolment. The trial is ongoing, with the potential to add additional treatments as assessed by the WHO Technical Advisory Group. Results from the PARTNERS trial are expected to contribute to evidence-based patient care within months, according to trial leadership.
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