Oxford University begins world-first human trial for Ebola vaccine

The University of Oxford has launched the world’s first human trial of a vaccine aimed at the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola. Fifty healthy adults, aged 18 to 55, are being dosed in Oxford as researchers look for safety signals and the strength of the immune response. The candidate, called ChAdOx1 BDBV, rides on the same chimp‑adenovirus vector that underpinned the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID‑19 jab.

Production of the investigational material is being handled by the Serum Institute of India. The institute says it manufactured and stock‑piled roughly 620 000 doses in a two‑week sprint and has shipped 4 000 of those to the Oxford site for the phase‑one study. If the early data are encouraging, the trial could graduate to larger cohorts with financing from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI). Parallel clinical work is earmarked for Uganda, but those sites await final regulatory clearance.

The effort arrives against a backdrop of active Ebola transmission in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, where health officials continue to flag the virus as a serious public‑health threat.

Indian manufacturing and logistics in focus

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath attended the inauguration of the Kanpur‑Lucknow Expressway in the Unnao district.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami flagged off a special train from Dehradun to Somnath, describing the journey as a cultural pilgrimage that carried more than 700 participants, including saints and self‑help‑group members. The ceremony echoed a broader push to link the Himalayan state with pilgrimage hotspots in the west.

Further south, the Andaman and Nicobar Administration announced eight additional scuba‑diving sites in Mayabunder and Diglipur, taking the total of notified locations in North and Middle Andaman to 12. Officials said the expansion should spur tourist arrivals, generate local jobs and bolster the region’s adventure‑travel appeal – all under strict safety and environmental guidelines.

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department issued an Orange Alert as heavy monsoon rains continued to affect flights and train services across several states. Travel advisories from airlines such as IndiGo warned passengers of potential delays at Delhi’s IGI Airport, a reminder that infrastructure upgrades are competing with seasonal weather challenges.

Automotive demand picks up

In a separate channel of the same live update, Motilal Oswal Financial Services reported a strong rebound in Indian automobile demand for the first quarter of FY 27. The firm said aggregate demand across original‑equipment manufacturers rose 24.5 % year‑on‑year, led by two‑wheelers up 26 % and passenger vehicles up 24 %.

Looking ahead, the analyst house warned that rising raw‑material costs could compress margins even as manufacturers push price hikes. It projected revenue growth of 32 % for two‑wheeler OEMs, 15 % for passenger‑vehicle makers and 18 % for commercial‑vehicle firms.

Luxury hotel pricing debate heats up

Executives from several leading chains offered competing views.

India is still significantly underpriced versus Europe, North America and many Asian luxury markets.

Vikramjit Singh Oberoi, managing director and chief executive officer, EIH Ltd, via Mint

Oberoi noted that while luxury hotels abroad command rates north of $1,000 per night, Indian flagship properties charge markedly less.

While occupancy in March took a hit due to international travel being disrupted, we continued to grow average daily rates in double digits.

Anuraag Bhatnagar, CEO, The Leela, via Mint

He linked higher ADRs to resilient domestic demand and limited new luxury supply. Radisson’s South‑Asia chief, Nikhil Sharma, echoed the sentiment, saying pricing is now the primary lever for growth.