Africa CDC-Led Mpox Therapeutic Study (MOSA) Begins Enrollment For Clinical Trials
By Alice Etuka, Abuja
The Africa Center for Disease Control (Africa CDC) has begun the enrollment of patients for clinical trial in its Mpox Therapeutic Study (MOSA), marking a critical step in addressing the Mpox health threat.
This is according to a statement on the Organisation’s website on Thursday.
As Clade Ib cases emerge outside Africa and Clade I and II cases continue to be reported across the continent, Africa CDC, INRB, and PANTHER are leading efforts to test promising therapeutic options to combat this persistent health threat.
Declared a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security on August 13, 2024, Mpox remains a significant health threat across Africa, particularly among vulnerable populations such as women, children, and individuals living with HIV.
Despite the pressing need, no therapeutic has been approved to treat Mpox in the United States or Africa.
The MOSA trial demonstrates Africa’s leadership in addressing this urgent healthcare gap. The study will evaluate different antivirals, either alone or in combination. It will start by evaluating the safety and efficacy of brincidofovir ( an antiviral from the global life sciences company Emergent BioSolutions).
In the MpOx Study, patients will receive either brincidofovir or a matching placebo in a liquid oral formulation, administered once-a-week, for 2 weeks.
A first interim analysis is expected by the end of Q1 2025.
Reacting to the development, Africa CDC Director General, Dr. Jean Kaseya noted that, “Africa is not just responding to the Mpox outbreak; we are leading the charge in finding solutions by spearheading research and development for Mpox therapeutics.
“The MpOx Study represents a groundbreaking step toward developing a treatment. This effort goes beyond research—it’s about African ownership and leadership in addressing our continent’s health challenges through vital, innovative research”.
Sponsored by PANTHER, a key research partner of Africa CDC, the MOSA trial builds upon initial funding provided by the European Union’s Horizon Europe program.
On his part, European Commission, Director-General for Research and Innovation, Marc Lemaître explained that the milestone was a result of research preparedness and response:
“This milestone highlights the vital role of research preparedness and response. Funded initially by Horizon Europe as part of the emergency response to the mpox outbreak in 2022, I am delighted to see MOSA trial fully operational now to advance treatments for mpox”, he said.
The study protocol was reviewed through the AVAREF collaborative process in 2023, ensuring it meets the highest ethical and scientific standards. The innovative study design includes pre-planned interim analyses, allowing for rapid decision-making should early signs of either futility or success be observed.
Meanwhile, Director General of the Centre for Vaccine Development in Mali (CVD-Mali) and President of the Board of PANTHER, Prof. Samba Sow stated,
“We are proud of this important milestone illustrating PANTHER’s mission in addressing continental epidemic priorities, we hope to contribute to Africa CDC’s response to the current crisis while also deriving concrete lessons to better prepare for future ones”.
