Oxford University begins trial of Ebola drug on Liberian volunteers

A team of scientist led by the Oxford University, London, has begun a clinical test of the anti-viral drug brincidofovir on volunteer Ebola patients.

Front Page Africa reports that the trials, which began on Thursday, 1st of January at the at ELWA 3, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) International’s Ebola Management Centre in Paynesville, Monrovia, is to determine if the drug is effective against the Ebola Virus Disease.

gathered that participation in the trial is fully voluntary and MSF hopes that brincidofovir might reduce EVD deaths.

Dr Jake Dunning, Trial Clinical Lead from Oxford, however states that the drug is not a miracle solution and there is no guarantee that patients will survive, even though it has been effective in the lab.

“We know that is has been taken safely by over 1000 people in clinical trials for other viral infections and we know that is has been shown to be effective in laboratory tests that use Ebola - infected cells," Dunning said.

"What we do not know yet is if it will be effective against Ebola in humans - this is why we must do a trial.”

Patients confirmed to be Ebola positive are informed about the Trial and and allowed to make the decision to participate in the trial or not.

But there is hope.

“With every possible treatment comes hope, and we are very excited that we may be able to help our patients beyond symptom management and routine supportive treatments like IV fluid therapy,” Dunning added.

MSF medical coordinator Brett Adamson said the only sure protection against the deadly virus is to keep high hygiene standards.

“But this treatment, even if shown to be effective, will not end the epidemic," Adamson said.

"To continue pushing case numbers down to zero, we must remember to keep washing our hands, avoid touching people we don’t know, and to seek help when someone becomes sick or dies."

With it more than 1400 staff on the ground in Liberia, MSF has treated over 1600 Ebola positive patients.