UK scientists receive funding for Ebola treatment research

UK scientists are to receive Wellcome Trust funding to carry out research into possible new treatments for Ebola.

The new 200,000 pound funding commitment comes in response to the high number of academic and commercial entities approaching Public Health England requesting rapid evaluation of repurposed drugs, experimental therapies and vaccines for Ebola.

As such, the money will be spent for the first round of evaluating potential treatment options, making it easier to determine the most viable candidates for further development.

Public Health England scientists will be able to consider up to 20 therapeutic candidates, as well as providing developers, sponsors, funders and policymakers with guidance on further action for promising candidates.

Professor Miles Carroll, head of research microbiology services at Public Health England, said: "We have robust mechanisms in place for detecting and responding to any infections within the UK, but ultimately the best possible defence is to address the Ebola outbreak at its source."

The current epidemic in west Africa is the largest known outbreak of Ebola, claiming more than 6,000 lives to date.