Ahead of World Polio Day, CanSinoBIO participated in the annual consultation between the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), polio vaccine manufacturers, National Authorities for Containment (NACs), and National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs), held recently at the World Health Organization (WHO) headquarters in Geneva.

Invited for the third consecutive year, CanSinoBIO joined global public health experts, vaccine manufacturers, and regulators to discuss progress toward polio eradication, vaccine innovation, and long-term supply security.

Dr. Xuefeng Yu (front), Chairman and CEO of CanSinoBIO, at the 2026 WHO Global Polio Vaccine Consultation

Advancing Polio Eradication and Next-Generation Vaccines

The 2026 WHO Global Polio Vaccine Consultation

Poliomyelitis (polio) is a highly infectious disease that primarily affects children and can cause irreversible paralysis. In 1988, WHO launched the global polio eradication initiative, making polio the second infectious disease targeted for eradication after smallpox.¹

There is no cure for polio, but vaccination can provide lifelong protection.² Despite significant progress in global immunization, poliovirus transmission persists in some regions, posing continued challenges to eradication. In August 2026, WHO reaffirmed that the risk of international poliovirus spread remains a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).³

This year's consultation focused on the Polio Vaccine Security Framework, covering vaccine supply, poliovirus containment, and next-generation vaccine development. As eradication efforts advance, ensuring long-term immunization, reliable vaccine supply, and biosafety remains a global priority.

GPEI has identified virus-like particle (VLP) technology as a promising approach to next-generation polio vaccines. Its Polio Eradication Strategy 2022–2026 recognizes VLP-based vaccines as a potential option for the post-eradication era.⁴

At the consultation, updated development plans included both standalone VLP-based polio vaccines and combination vaccines containing VLP components, highlighting their potential role in future immunization strategies.

Advancing VLP-Polio Development for Global Health

From left: Dr. Qiaoling Yan, VLP-Polio Project Lead; Dr. Xuefeng Yu, Chairman and CEO; Dr. Pierre A. Morgon, Senior Advisor and Head of CanSinoBIO Switzerland; and Dr. Jean-Denis Shu, Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs, at the 2026 WHO Global Polio Vaccine Consultation

At the meeting, CanSinoBIO shared the latest progress of its recombinant poliomyelitis vaccine (VLP-Polio) and exchanged insights with international public health and vaccine experts.

Unlike conventional polio vaccine production, CanSinoBIO's VLP-Polio does not require infectious live poliovirus, reducing the risk of viral release during manufacturing. This approach also supports compliance with increasingly stringent biosafety and containment requirements in the post-eradication era.

VLP technology also offers flexibility for combination vaccine development. Through modular design, VLP-Polio could be combined with other childhood vaccines, potentially helping optimize immunization schedules.

The Gates Foundation has funded the program, supporting clinical research, process development, manufacturing scale-up, and combination vaccine development. In July 2025, CanSinoBIO received clinical trial approval from China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for its recombinant poliomyelitis vaccine. The program has since completed the main on-site activities of its Phase II clinical trial in Indonesia, with positive primary immunization data from key study groups supporting further development.

Strengthening Global Collaboration Through Innovation

CanSinoBIO has established five technology platforms covering viral vectors, synthetic vaccines, protein structure design and VLP assembly, mRNA, and formulation and delivery technologies. These platforms support the development of innovative vaccines addressing global public health needs.

Dr. Xuefeng Yu, Chairman and CEO of CanSinoBIO, said, "Global polio eradication requires sustained commitment and international collaboration. Vaccine innovation must address today's prevention needs while preparing for the future of global immunization. CanSinoBIO will continue to leverage its technology platforms and strengthen partnerships with global public health organizations and industry partners. By advancing innovative vaccines such as VLP-Polio, we aim to contribute to global disease prevention and public health."

References

1.Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Poliomyelitis. https://www.chinacdc.cn/jkyj/mygh02/ymkyfjb/jshzy/

2.World Health Organization. Statement of the Forty-fifth Meeting of the Polio IHR Emergency Committee. August 25, 2026. https://www.who.int/news/item/25-08-2026-statement-of-the-forty-fifth-meeting-of-the-polio-ihr-emergency-committee

3.World Health Organization. Poliomyelitis. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/poliomyelitis

4.Global Polio Eradication Initiative. Polio Eradication Strategy 2022–2026: Delivering on a Promise. p. 52. https://polioeradication.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Polio-Eradication-Strategy-2022-2026-Delivering-on-a-Promise.pdf#page=52

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