SDG3
Raul Andino Visits NCKU to Reveal the Development Journey of the Novel Polio Vaccine nOPV2
The Graduate Institute of Microbiology and Immunology at National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) recently invited renowned virologist and U.S. National Academy of Sciences (NAS) member Dr. Raul Andino to deliver a keynote lecture titled “Forged by Design, Tempered by Trial: The Evolution of nOPV2 and the Path Toward Polio Eradication.” During the lecture, Dr. Andino shared the development journey of the novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2), showcasing NCKU’s robust international research networks and deepening the academic dialogue between southern Taiwan and the world's leading scientific communities.
Professor Raul Andino of the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), who was elected to the NAS in 2025, is a globally recognized expert in virology, specializing in the replication mechanisms and evolution of polioviruses. The nOPV2 vaccine developed by his team was the first-ever vaccine to receive Emergency Use Listing (EUL) authorization from the World Health Organization (WHO). Through sophisticated genetic engineering, the vaccine significantly reduces the risk of the vaccine strain reverting to a virulent form, thereby vastly improving safety. It has become a crucial weapon in humanity’s quest to eradicate type 2 poliovirus. Furthermore, this pioneering research established a systematic approach to the rational design of attenuated vaccines, providing a foundational theoretical pillar for global antiviral strategies.
Associate Professor Ming-Te Yeh of the Graduate Institute of Microbiology and Immunology opened the event and introduced the speaker. Having joined Dr. Andino’s research team in 2012, Dr. Yeh was a key contributor to the vaccine development project and served as the first author on three core research papers. By bringing these advanced technologies and concepts back to NCKU, he aims to foster ongoing bilateral academic exchanges and elevate the university's international profile in infectious disease research.
Dr. Yeh noted that while Taiwan was certified polio-free in 2000, the nation must remain vigilant against the threat of imported cases in our globalized era. Emphasizing that science knows no borders, he stated that participating in world-changing initiatives like the nOPV2 project proves Taiwanese scholars have the capability to make tangible contributions to global health crises. He hopes this milestone will inspire students to expand their horizons toward global public health issues.
“The global effort to eradicate polio is one of the most ambitious and inspiring achievements in modern medical history,” said Dr. Cheng Hsiu-Chi, Dean of the NCKU College of Medicine, in his opening remarks. “As we edge closer to eradication, new scientific challenges emerge, demanding not just persistence, but fundamental innovation. Dr. Andino’s work exemplarily demonstrates how basic virology research can be translated into practical global solutions.” Dean Cheng added that nOPV2 has been deployed worldwide, playing a decisive role in the final push against polio. He highlighted the long-standing, meaningful connection between Professor Andino and NCKU's medical community, expressing hope that the students in attendance would draw immense inspiration from the lecture.
During his comprehensive presentation, Professor Andino offered a candid look into the experimental journey. He explained that while traditional oral polio vaccines (the Sabin strain) are highly effective, there is a minuscule risk of the virus regaining virulence, which can lead to community transmission of vaccine-derived polioviruses—a major public health challenge. To tackle this, his team first decoded how the virus evolves and regains pathogenicity. Using genetic engineering, they redesigned the Sabin vaccine to create nOPV2, rendering it genetically stable and far less likely to revert to a dangerous form while fully preserving its immunogenicity. As the first vaccine authorized under the WHO’s EUL framework, over two billion doses have been administered globally since 2021, making it an indispensable shield against type 2 poliovirus.
Dr. Yeh concluded that as a premier hub for infectious disease research and prevention in southern Taiwan, NCKU’s Graduate Institute of Microbiology and Immunology remains deeply committed to bridging foundational science and clinical translation. This high-level exchange with Academician Andino not only tightens NCKU’s integration with global scientific breakthroughs but also injects vital inspiration into Taiwan’s next-generation vaccine development, reinforcing a shared commitment to global public health and human well-being.
Professor Raul Andino of the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), who was elected to the NAS in 2025, is a globally recognized expert in virology, specializing in the replication mechanisms and evolution of polioviruses. The nOPV2 vaccine developed by his team was the first-ever vaccine to receive Emergency Use Listing (EUL) authorization from the World Health Organization (WHO). Through sophisticated genetic engineering, the vaccine significantly reduces the risk of the vaccine strain reverting to a virulent form, thereby vastly improving safety. It has become a crucial weapon in humanity’s quest to eradicate type 2 poliovirus. Furthermore, this pioneering research established a systematic approach to the rational design of attenuated vaccines, providing a foundational theoretical pillar for global antiviral strategies.
Associate Professor Ming-Te Yeh of the Graduate Institute of Microbiology and Immunology opened the event and introduced the speaker. Having joined Dr. Andino’s research team in 2012, Dr. Yeh was a key contributor to the vaccine development project and served as the first author on three core research papers. By bringing these advanced technologies and concepts back to NCKU, he aims to foster ongoing bilateral academic exchanges and elevate the university's international profile in infectious disease research.
Dr. Yeh noted that while Taiwan was certified polio-free in 2000, the nation must remain vigilant against the threat of imported cases in our globalized era. Emphasizing that science knows no borders, he stated that participating in world-changing initiatives like the nOPV2 project proves Taiwanese scholars have the capability to make tangible contributions to global health crises. He hopes this milestone will inspire students to expand their horizons toward global public health issues.
“The global effort to eradicate polio is one of the most ambitious and inspiring achievements in modern medical history,” said Dr. Cheng Hsiu-Chi, Dean of the NCKU College of Medicine, in his opening remarks. “As we edge closer to eradication, new scientific challenges emerge, demanding not just persistence, but fundamental innovation. Dr. Andino’s work exemplarily demonstrates how basic virology research can be translated into practical global solutions.” Dean Cheng added that nOPV2 has been deployed worldwide, playing a decisive role in the final push against polio. He highlighted the long-standing, meaningful connection between Professor Andino and NCKU's medical community, expressing hope that the students in attendance would draw immense inspiration from the lecture.
During his comprehensive presentation, Professor Andino offered a candid look into the experimental journey. He explained that while traditional oral polio vaccines (the Sabin strain) are highly effective, there is a minuscule risk of the virus regaining virulence, which can lead to community transmission of vaccine-derived polioviruses—a major public health challenge. To tackle this, his team first decoded how the virus evolves and regains pathogenicity. Using genetic engineering, they redesigned the Sabin vaccine to create nOPV2, rendering it genetically stable and far less likely to revert to a dangerous form while fully preserving its immunogenicity. As the first vaccine authorized under the WHO’s EUL framework, over two billion doses have been administered globally since 2021, making it an indispensable shield against type 2 poliovirus.
Dr. Yeh concluded that as a premier hub for infectious disease research and prevention in southern Taiwan, NCKU’s Graduate Institute of Microbiology and Immunology remains deeply committed to bridging foundational science and clinical translation. This high-level exchange with Academician Andino not only tightens NCKU’s integration with global scientific breakthroughs but also injects vital inspiration into Taiwan’s next-generation vaccine development, reinforcing a shared commitment to global public health and human well-being.
Renowned contemporary virologist and National Academy of Sciences member Dr. Raul Andino visited NCKU to deliver a keynote lecture.
Raul Andino delivered a lecture titled “Forged by Design, Tempered by Trial: The Evolution of nOPV2 and the Path Toward Polio Eradication,” in which he recounted the development process of the novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2).
Hsiu-Chi Cheng, Dean of the College of Medicine at NCKU, remarked in his address that he hoped the students attending the lecture would be inspired.
Raul Andino delivered a comprehensive presentation, sharing his personal experiences and reflections throughout the research journey.
