The Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), Canada’s Centre for Pandemic Research, operates one of the largest and most advanced high containment facilities with capacity to house a variety of small and large animal species from bats to bison. VIDO is a world leader in infectious disease research and vaccine development for humans and animals.

As part of the University of Saskatchewan, VIDO’s expertise, infrastructure, and history put us at the forefront of innovation and make us a valuable resource and a source of pride for Canada. For over 45 years, we have trained graduate-level scientists and developed solutions to emerging diseases including eight commercially available vaccines, with several others in regulatory development. We have played a key role in Canada’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

To strengthen Canada’s preparedness for emerging infectious diseases, we are expanding our capabilities as Canada’s Centre for Pandemic Research:

• • Opening the Vaccine Development Centre, pilot scale biomanufacturing facility with flexibility to conduct process development and meet good manufacturing practice requirements for all vaccine platforms and a variety of protein biologics.

• • Adding containment level 4 capacity, which will allow us to work with ANY pathogen.

• • Building a new animal facility capable of housing a wider range of animals, which will expand our preclinical research and development capacity.

• • Attracting new talent to expand our expertise and providing training opportunities to develop the next generation of scientists.

These important enhancements will support scientists from Canada and around the world to develop vaccines and therapeutics for humans and animals.