Earlier on today (13 July 2026) researchers at the University of Oxford announced that they have developed a vaccine for a new variant of Ebolavirus.
Hundreds of people have been infected with the Bundibugyo variant of Ebolavirus in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the World Health Organisation declared a public health emergency on 17 May 2026.
In response, researchers at the University of Oxford started developing a vaccine and submitted an application for approval to test the ChAdOx1 BDBV vaccine in a Phase 1 (early stage) clinical trial on 24 June 2026.
The application was submitted under the HRA's fast-track scheme, which is offered for any clinical trial of an investigational medicinal product, including first in human trials (Phase 1), requiring a rapid research ethics review. This includes reviews for public health emergency research.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, COVID-19 studies were prioritised which meant that some were reviewed in as little as 48 hours. More recently we have used our fast-track scheme for mpox and bird flu studies, enabling public health studies to be reviewed as part of our overall service.
Studies submitted under the scheme are reviewed in parallel by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and the HRA, who together provide a single review outcome.
The London Brent Research Ethics Committee (REC) reviewed the application just 5 days after it was submitted, providing a final opinion on 13 July.
The aim for fast-track reviews is an initial outcome with 14 days of submission.
Responding to the news our Interim Director of Approvals, Dr Jonathan Fennelly-Barnwell, said:
Dr Jonathan Fennelly-Barnwell, Interim Director of Approvals at the Health Research Authority"Our fast-track scheme shows the real strength of clinical research system in the UK.
"We are able to provide a service that enables research to have a rapid review by a REC, enabling research that is critical in developing potentially life saving interventions.
"The fast-track scheme offers a quick turnaround for the ethics review and governance checks we carry out. This is done by enabling applicants to select their specific REC meeting slot ahead of time and allowing for paperwork to be received up to 7 days before the meeting – normally documents must be submitted at least 14 days before the review date.
"The REC then reviews documents in time for the meeting, giving the study full consideration as they do for all other studies.
"Being able to review research quickly, whilst maintaining our rigorous review standards, is crucial to build trust in research and give people the confidence to choose to take part in a trial like this.
"As well as the commitment of our expert staff, none of this would be possible without the efforts of the amazing volunteers who sit on our Research Ethics Committees, and I want to take this opportunity to thank the members of the London Brent REC for their flexibility in reviewing the study so quickly."
You can find out more about the study on the University of Oxford website.