MSF Demands Equitable Access to Potential Ebola Bundibugyo Treatments

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) demanded on September 24, 2026, that equitable and transparent access be guaranteed for three candidate treatments against Ebola caused by the Bundibugyo virus. The appeal focuses on experimental therapies MBP134, remdesivir, and obeldesivir as clinical trials advance in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The international medical humanitarian organization released a report examining access obstacles for the three potential medications, which are currently being evaluated in the PARTNERS and EBO-PEP clinical trials. Mapp Biopharmaceutical develops MBP134, while Gilead Sciences develops remdesivir and obeldesivir. According to MSF, public funds and philanthropic contributions support the development or clinical evaluation of these candidates. However, publicly available information regarding prices, licensing agreements, supply capacity, and access conditions remains very limited despite repeated transparency requests.

Clinical Trial Progress and Transparency Concerns

Previous outbreaks demonstrate that success in clinical outcomes does not guarantee equitable access by itself. Past experiences often lead to delays, limited supplies, and heavy reliance on one-time donations that restrict overall availability. Mónica Rull, Deputy Executive Director of MSF Access, noted that scientific progress alone is insufficient to protect vulnerable populations.

While testing continues on several candidate drugs for the Bundibugyo virus, a crucial chance now exists to guarantee that successful remedies reach the populations requiring them most. The experience of previous Ebola outbreaks has shown that scientific progress alone is not enough.

The document details current therapeutic options, outlines prominent access concerns, and provides structural recommendations to secure fair distribution if the candidates prove effective.

Strategic Reserves and Pediatric Inclusion Requirements

To prevent historical disparities from repeating, MSF insists that stakeholders establish a clear plan for funding and strategic reserves. Rull emphasized that developers must specifically incorporate treatments aimed at children directly into development and access strategies from the outset.

It is equally vital to factor pediatric therapies into planning and availability frameworks right away, thereby averting the familiar inequalities and lag times witnessed in the past.

MSF calls on all researchers, funders, and policymakers involved in the trials to act immediately and build appropriate access conditions into their frameworks.