Chinese Virologist Gao Fu Wins UNESCO–Equatorial Guinea International Prize for Life Sciences

Paris, November 25—The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) today announced the three laureates of the 2025 UNESCO–Equatorial Guinea International Prize for Research in the Life Sciences (9th edition). Among them is Chinese academician Gao Fu, nominated by the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) and endorsed by the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO.

Gao, a CAS member and Vice President of the Beijing Association for Science and Technology, was honored “for his outstanding contributions to virology and global public health,” according to the UNESCO citation. He co-led the team that first identified SARS-CoV-2 and pioneered the receptor-binding-domain (RBD) dimer strategy for COVID-19 vaccines—shots that have now been administered to more than 300 million people worldwide.

The same platform is being adapted to develop pan-coronavirus vaccines against MERS and SARS.

Created in 2008 and funded by the Government of Equatorial Guinea, the prize rewards individuals or institutions whose research significantly improves quality of life.

This year’s other recipients are scientists from Saudi Arabia and Cameroon recognized for advances in heat-stroke and malaria research, respectively.

Tag: Department of International Affairs of CAST