Polio Research Committee outcomes
The second meeting of the Polio Research Committee (PRC) took place in Geneva, Switzerland, on 10-11 November 2008. In this meeting, the PRC reviewed submitted research proposals by external researchers and endorsed the following proposals for funding:
- Alternative poliovirus seed strains for inactivated poliovirus vaccine – IPV (three proposals)
Four proposals focus on developing alternative seed strains, which would allow safe production of IPV in developing countries in the post-eradication era with the ultimate aim to reduce the biocontainment levels for production. - Conducting additional mathematical modelling work (one proposal)
This proposal is to develop an “agent-based” model, which would answer critical questions, such as risk of undetected circulation of wild poliovirus, optimal timing to cease routine OPV use, evaluation of outbreak response options and role of antivirals as an adjunct to other control measures in outbreaks. - Seroprevalence survey (one proposal)
This proposal focuses on a seroprevalence survey to determine the immunity profile of infants in high-risk reservoir areas in Pakistan to assess programme performance and vaccine efficacy in that area. - Environmental surveillance (one proposal)
This proposal focuses on environmental surveillance to enhance the sensitivity of poliovirus surveillance in Pakistan. - Antiviral development (one proposal)
The proposal is to identify new antiviral compounds against polioviruses through screening of candidate compounds and evaluation of lead compounds in mouse infection models. - Use of adjuvant for IPV (one proposal)
Adjuvants would offer the opportunity to save IPV production costs by reducing requirements of antigenic content. The proposal is to evaluate the use of Immunositumulatory Particles (IStP) and other novel and traditional adjuvants for IPV.
The PRC also reviewed the current research projects and discussed unmet needs. The PRC is soliciting proposals, focusing especially on those identified research topics.