Canadian drugmaker Tekmira says not ready to make experimental Ebola drug available in Africa

A Canadian drugmaker working on an experimental drug for Ebola says it is not ready to make the treatment available in Africa, though it continues discussions with governments and international agencies trying to contain the deadly outbreak.

Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corp. is one of a handful of companies worldwide developing drugs to treat Ebola. Last week, it made international headlines when it announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration had eased a safety hold that had been placed on its treatment, TKM-Ebola, due to safety problems that emerged in early testing. The company suggested the move might clear the way for emergency use of the drug in infected patients.

But the company's CEO said Wednesday that the "regulatory framework" for giving the drug to African patients is not clear.