VIDO - Solutions Through Research

About Us

"A new vaccine is the kind of opportunity that the public health community is constantly seeking out and adopting in order to improve the health of the public and reduce health inequalities,
as individuals and as a society.” (2007)
Dr. David Butler-Jones, Chief Public Health Officer
Public Health Agency of Canada

The University of Saskatchewan’s Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) is a world leader in the research and development of vaccine and immunity-enhancing technologies for humans and animals. VIDO is a non-profit organization owned by the University of Saskatchewan and operates with support from the governments of Alberta and Saskatchewan as well as Government of Canada and industry competitive grants.

Research
In recent history, immunization has had more impact on saving lives than any other health intervention[1]. Yet despite advances in available technology, vaccine delivery techniques have not greatly improved, leaving some populations inadequately protected.

VIDO is developing novel vaccine formulation and delivery systems including powerful, naturally-derived vaccine additives and needle-free methods. In a highly interdisciplinary and team-based environment, we are working to improve quality of life for animals and increase the competitiveness of livestock producers. We also aim to alleviate human suffering caused by diseases like influenza and hepatitis C, and by the lack of effective vaccines for newborns and many people in developing countries.

Training
Our trainees appreciate the opportunity to provide practical benefits to human and animal health. Launched in 2008, the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Vaccinology & Immunotherapeutics exposes graduate students to a variety of disciplines and top-level national and international scientists and industry experts. VIDO has attracted scientists and trainees from more than 20 countries.

Planning for a safer future: InterVac
When a new zoonotic disease emerges, researchers must be able to access appropriate facilities to study the disease and develop ways of treating or preventing it. Our research facilities include Containment Level 2 laboratories and a research station capable of preclinical trials. However, there is a worldwide shortage of facilities in which to study Containment Level 3 diseases such as avian influenza, tuberculosis, West Nile virus, and SARS. VIDO is leading construction of the International Vaccine Centre (InterVac), which will be the largest Containment Level 3 vaccine research centre in Canada dealing with both human and large animal diseases.

VIDO holds more than 80 U.S. patents, most commercially licensed, and has commercialized seven vaccines, five of which were world firsts. We collaborate extensively with external institutes and companies and partnered in developing the Bioniche Life Sciences vaccine for cattle against E. coli O157:H7 – another world first. In 2007, this vaccine earned an industry excellence award as the best new veterinary product for livestock.

Most recently, VIDO became a stakeholder in the Pan-Provincial Vaccine Enterprise (PREVENT), one of 11 new Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research. Based at the University of Saskatchewan, PREVENT will bridge a vaccine commercialization gap to accelerate the rate at which essential vaccines reach Canadians.

About the University of Saskatchewan , Research at the University of Saskatchewan