Africa CDC enrolls first patients in MpOx Study to advance treatment research

DRC—The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has announced that it has enrolled the first patients in the MpOx Study (MOSA) at Mbandaka Hospital in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

This groundbreaking step follows the initial funding from the European Union and adds to the collaborative efforts with PANTHER, a leading research partner.

This initiative, announced in November 2024, aims to advance Mpox treatment research across Africa, a region severely impacted by the disease.

The MOSA trial, revealed at the World Health Summit in Berlin, is an ambitious clinical trial that will test promising treatments for Mpox.

It addresses a critical health threat as Clade Ib cases spread beyond Africa and Clade I and II cases persist on the continent.

Mpox, declared a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security on August 13, 2024, continues to pose a significant risk to vulnerable populations, particularly women, children, and individuals living with HIV.

Despite the urgent need for effective treatments, no therapeutic has yet been approved in the United States or Africa.

Recent studies, such as PALM 007 and STOMP, showed that tecovirimat failed to produce the expected effects on lesion resolution, highlighting the need for alternative options.

The MOSA trial represents Africa’s leadership in addressing this urgent healthcare gap.

The study will evaluate various antivirals, including brincidofovir, either alone or in combination. Brincidofovir, an antiviral from Emergent BioSolutions, is currently available in the U.S. under a single-patient emergency use Investigational New Drug (IND) for Mpox.

However, its safety and efficacy for treating Mpox have not been established through large-scale, double-blind studies.

Patients in the MOSA trial will receive either brincidofovir or a placebo in a liquid oral form, administered once a week for two weeks.

The first interim analysis of the study is expected by the end of Q1 2025, providing valuable data on the safety and effectiveness of the treatment.

Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director-General of Africa CDC, emphasized that Africa is not merely responding to the Mpox outbreak but is leading the charge in finding solutions.

“The MpOx Study represents a groundbreaking step toward developing a treatment,” he stated, highlighting Africa’s ownership and leadership in addressing the continent’s health challenges through vital research.

Marc Lemaître from the European Commission also praised the trial’s progress, highlighting the importance of research preparedness and response, which was initially funded through Horizon Europe as part of the emergency response to the 2022 Mpox outbreak.

Prof. Samba Ousmane Sow, Director-General of the Centre for Vaccine Development in Mali and President of PANTHER, expressed pride in the trial’s success, reinforcing PANTHER’s mission to address Africa’s epidemic priorities.

He also emphasized the hope that lessons learned from this study will help better prepare for future health crises.

The MOSA trial will provide essential data on potential treatments as the DRC and other African nations continue to report rising Mpox cases.

 The study will recruit both children and adults, focusing on those most at risk, particularly in remote areas.

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