Singapore: US-based Novavax recently announced that its experimental candidate vaccine for Ebola showed promise in early stage human clinical trial. The vaccine induced a substantial immune response to the deadly infection in an early-stage trial involving 230 healthy adults.

In a randomized study compared against a placebo, the vaccine illicited participants' immune systems to build up antibodies to fight Ebola when combined with a supplement to boost production of the proteins, according to Mr Greg Glenn, Novavax's head of research.

The company also said that the vaccine was found to be safe and effective in the study. Novavax is in talks with governmental and non-governmental entities to develop the vaccine further and continue clinical studies.

Apart from Novavax, GlaxoSmithKline and Johnson & Johnson are also developing potential Ebola vaccines. The vaccines are in mid-stage development. Ebola recently gripped Africa in a deadly epidemic almost killing 11,200 people.