January 19, 2016, 7:34 AM

Baltimore biotechnology company Profectus BioSciences is testing a vaccine to guard against the Ebola virus on 39 human subjects, a first step toward administering it more broadly to people at risk of exposure to the deadly pathogen.

The experiment is one of a handful to advance beyond trials on animal subjects.

The recent Ebola outbreak in Africa killed more than 11,000 people over two years. While several projects were expedited to human trials in West Africa as public health experts sought to stem the epidemic, Profectus is following a more traditional Food and Drug Administration review process.

That path could lead Profectus to human trials later this year testing a more comprehensive vaccine that protects against multiple strains of Ebola and a similar virus. After that, the company plans to test a freeze-dried vaccine that could be distributed in the field without refrigeration.

Read more at: http://www.baltimoresun.com/health/bs-hs-profectus-ebola-trials-20160119-story.html