Changsheng Bio founder Gao Junfang sentenced to life in prison for vaccine fraud
Gao Junfang, former chairwoman of Changsheng Biotechnology, was sentenced to life imprisonment on January 30, 2026, by the Changchun Intermediate People's Court for producing and selling fake products, accepting bribes, misappropriating funds, and unit bribery. The Jilin High People's Court upheld the verdict in June 2026. The case stems from a 2018 scandal where the company falsified production records for rabies vaccines. Gao's husband received six years, and 16 other employees received sentences ranging from 2 years and 9 months to 15 years.
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China's Changsheng Bio Vaccine Scandal: Founder Gao Junfang Sentenced to Life in Prison
The second-instance trial of the Changsheng Biotechnology vaccine scandal has concluded, with founder Gao Junfang sentenced to life in prison. Gao, known as the 'Vaccine Queen', was found guilty of four crimes: producing and selling fake products, accepting bribes as a non-state functionary, misappropriating funds, and corporate bribery. Her husband Zhang Youkui and 16 other employees also received prison sentences ranging from 2 years and 9 months to 15 years. The case dates back to July 2018 when China's drug regulator discovered that Changsheng's subsidiary, Changchun Changsheng, had falsified production records for its rabies vaccine. The scandal prompted high-level government intervention, with authorities demanding a clear explanation to the public. The company was subsequently delisted from the Shenzhen Stock Exchange in 2019, becoming the first A-share company forced to delist for major violations. Prosecutors alleged that from 2014 to 2018, the company produced over 64 million doses of substandard rabies vaccines, causing multiple deaths and injuries. Gao, who had built a family fortune of 5.1 billion yuan, was once listed on the Hurun China Rich List.
Read sourceFormer Changsheng Bio Chairwoman Gao Junfang Sentenced to Life in Vaccine Scandal
Gao Junfang, former chairwoman of Changsheng Biotechnology, was sentenced to life in prison on January 30, 2026, by the Changchun Intermediate People's Court for four crimes: producing and selling fake products, accepting bribes as a non-state functionary, misappropriating funds, and unit bribery. The court found that while the company's rabies vaccines met quality standards, production violated Good Manufacturing Practices, leading to a conviction for producing and selling fake products rather than inferior drugs. Her husband, Zhang Youkui, received six years for fund misappropriation. Twelve other employees received sentences ranging from 7 to 15 years. The verdict was upheld by the Jilin High People's Court in June 2026. The case stems from a 2018 scandal involving falsified production records at Changsheng's subsidiary, which led to the company's delisting and eventual dissolution. Gao, who rose from a state-owned research institute to build a vaccine empire worth over 10 billion yuan, had been detained since July 2018.
Read sourceFormer Changsheng Bio Chairwoman Gao Junfang Sentenced to Life in Vaccine Case
Gao Junfang, former chairwoman of Changsheng Biotechnology, was sentenced to life in prison on January 30, 2026, by the Changchun Intermediate People's Court for four crimes: producing and selling fake products, accepting bribes as a non-state functionary, misappropriating funds, and offering bribes as a company. Her husband, Zhang Youkui, received a six-year sentence for fund misappropriation. The court found that while the company's rabies vaccines met quality standards, production processes violated regulations, leading to a conviction for producing and selling fake products rather than inferior drugs. The court also confirmed that Changsheng bribed a former drug regulator 20.9 million yuan from 2006 to 2014. The Jilin Provincial High People's Court upheld the verdict on appeal in late June 2026. The case stems from a 2018 scandal involving falsified production records, which led to the company's delisting and the detention of 18 individuals. Gao's family declined to comment on whether they would seek a retrial.
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Former Changsheng Bio Chairman Gao Junfang Sentenced to Life in Prison on Four Counts
Gao Junfang, former chairwoman of Changsheng Bio (formerly stock code 002680.SZ, delisted), was sentenced to life imprisonment on January 30, 2026, by the Changchun Intermediate People's Court for four crimes: production and sale of counterfeit products, non-state employee bribery, misappropriation of funds, and unit bribery. Her husband, Zhang Youkui, former director and deputy general manager, received six years for fund misappropriation. Twelve other employees were sentenced to 7-15 years for production and sale of counterfeit products, and four to nearly three years for aiding in evidence destruction. The court found that Changsheng's rabies vaccines met quality standards but violated production regulations. Gao had bribed Wang Lifeng, a former drug regulator, 20.9 million yuan from 2006-2014. The case stems from a 2018 scandal involving vaccine production violations. The Jilin Provincial High People's Court upheld the verdict on appeal in late June 2026. Gao's family declined to comment on further appeals.
Read sourceChangchun Changsheng ex-chairman Gao Junfang sentenced to life in prison on four charges
Gao Junfang, former chairwoman of Changsheng Biotechnology, was sentenced to life imprisonment on January 30, 2026, by the Changchun Intermediate People's Court for producing and selling fake products, accepting bribes as a non-state functionary, misappropriating funds, and offering bribes as a unit. The verdict was upheld by the Jilin High People's Court in June 2026. The case stems from a 2018 vaccine scandal involving the company's rabies vaccine production. The court found that while the vaccines met quality standards, the company violated Good Manufacturing Practices. Gao's husband, Zhang Youkui, received a six-year sentence for fund misappropriation. Twelve other employees received sentences ranging from 7 to 15 years. The court did not convict Gao of embezzlement, as originally charged by prosecutors. The company was delisted in 2019 and its subsidiary was dissolved in 2024.
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