Researchers warn not to stall Ebola vaccine development

Researchers in Minnesota and elsewhere say Ebola vaccine development appears to be stalling and urgent steps should be taken to see the process completed.

The warning comes from a panel of international experts convened by the University of Minnesota and the London-based Wellcome Trust that's urging international funding support to finance

"We don't see that global urgency and plan to move forward with these vaccines," said panel co-chair Michael Osterholm, who is director of the U's Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy.

Drug companies have invested tens of millions of dollars in creating vaccines, but so far, nothing has been submitted for regulatory review. Osterholm says that's partly because the Ebola outbreak has faded and there's no market for a vaccine.

"These companies are not going to invest tens of millions, even higher amounts of money if there's no guarantee at the end of the line that somebody might buy that vaccine," he said. "So we're kind of in a standoff in a way."

Osterholm says world governments need to commit to buying Ebola vaccines so nations can be prepared for future outbreaks.