Rapid down-selection of experimental therapies for Ebola virus disease

With growing concerns about the spread of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in and out of West Africa, fast track access to treatment options is a global priority. As the national public health agency and WHO Collaborating Centre for Virus Reference and Research (Special Pathogens including Ebola), Public Health England (PHE) has been approached by a number of academic and commercial entities requesting rapid evaluation of experimental therapies and vaccines for EVD. With financial support from the Trust, PHE proposes to establish an independent, unbiased and rapid pre-clinical evaluation capability using its in vitro and in vivo (Guinea Pig) models. We are asking for ~£200k from the Trust to down-select up to 20 therapeutic candidates within 2 months. We would also like to involve Wellcome Trust in our Steering Panel to prioritise treatments for simultaneous assessment in our models. With interest and further funding from the Wellcome Trust, PHE can also conduct additional rounds of evaluation, both for therapies (as well as vaccines if needed). Evaluation in primate models is not considered in this proposal – however PHE could coordinate access for these if necessary and further funding is available from the Trust.