Polio Research Committee meeting

An inaugural meeting of the Polio Research Committee (PRC) took place in Geneva on 14–15 May 2008. The work of the PRC builds on previous meetings, consultations and the findings of committees or subcommittees concerning polio-related research. The objectives of the meeting were to obtain advice and decisions to guide specific research and product development activities for the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. The specific tasks of the committee are as follows:

1. review polio eradication-related research conducted over the 5 years since the September 2003 WHO meeting on potential post-eradication risks (esp. VDPVs)
2. identify the remaining gaps in knowledge for interrupting wild poliovirus transmission and assessing and managing risks in the post-eradication era
3. determine a list of study questions to address those gaps and risks; then, rank study questions in order of priority for policy development and programme activities
4. propose appropriate studies to be initiated, commissioned or funded by GPEI and/or interested stakeholders to address priority knowledge gaps
5. review external research proposals in terms of conception, design and scientific c merit, and determine their respective priorities and funding levels
6. monitor, evaluate and direct the dissemination of progress and findings from all relevant research
7. further engage solution-oriented interested parties, stakeholders and potential new collaborators.

The following proposals were discussed and endorsed by the committee for priority follow-up and funding.

1. Evaluation of antivirals in polio eradication: This proposal focused on a systematic evaluation of promising antiviral compounds against a panel of poliovirus strains. CDC has offered to screen potential candidate compounds.
2. Assessment plan for Sabin IPV alternate seed strains: This proposal initiated the process of evaluating potential alternate seed strains for the production of inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV). The aim of this project is to develop seed strains that do not grow in humans, which could greatly facilitate the safe production of IPV in developing countries in the longterm. A matrix is being compiled to assess promising candidate strains.
3. Sabin IPV alternative inactivation agents: The recovery of antigenic materials from Sabin type-2 poliovirus following inactivation with formalin is particularly low. A proposal to test alternative inactivation methods, using β-propiolactone, will be investigated. The committee endorsed a proposal submitted by the Netherlands Vaccine Institute.
4. Assessment for the use of adjuvants in IPV: As part of the strategy to lower the production costs of IPV, a systematic evaluation of adjuvants was proposed. Adjuvants offer the potential to decrease antigenic content at least 3to 5-fold compared to non-adjuvanted vaccine. A systematic evaluation proposal of adjuvants submitted by IVR was endorsed by the committee.
5. Programme communication approaches: Communication is an integral part of the eradication initiative. The committee endorsed a proposal submitted by UNICEF to conduct an in-depth evaluation of communication in Nigeria.
6. Mathematical modelling: Additional mathematical modelling to guide the programme, especially in the areas of vaccine efficacy, population immunity and assessment of risks for paralytic disease due to poliomyelitis in the post-eradication era, is being evaluated. A proposal submitted by the Imperial College was endorsed by the committee.

The PRC is also committed to identifying remaining gaps in knowledge pertaining to the interruption of wild poliovirus transmission and preparation for the post-eradication era. This preparation revolves around proposing appropriate studies, determining their priority and funding levels, reviewing external research activities and engaging interested parties, stakeholders and potential new collaborators - all challenging undertakings for the PRC during the coming year. To this effect, the PRC is currently soliciting research proposals, ahead of its next meeting in November 2008.