International Vaccine Centre (InterVac) Questions and Answers

What is InterVac?
The International Vaccine Centre (InterVac) will be one of the largest Containment Level 3 vaccine research and development laboratories in North America. At 145,000 square feet, it will significantly enhance Canada’s capacity to develop vaccines and new methods of delivery for both humans and animals.

Scientists say there is an urgent need for knowledge regarding the animal-human interface.* InterVac will be part of a national strategy for dealing with infectious disease threats with particular strength in the area of zoonotic diseases. The centre will be integral to the work of the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. As one of the few Containment Level 3 labs in the world that can support vaccine research with relevant quantities of large animals such as cows, it will help to address the infrastructure bottleneck facing research teams in infectious disease here and internationally.

InterVac is being built to the highest specifications of safety and security, exceeding current regulatory standards. Plans entail two main floors for animals and laboratories, with two in-between floors permitting easy and safe access to services and means of feeding animals. The $140-million facility is being built on the University of Saskatchewan campus connected to VIDO.

Site preparation began in May 2007, and construction is expected to be completed in 2010. [TOP]
* Pellerin, C. (2007) Emerging Diseases Drive Human, Animal Health Alliance: "One Health" is a growing international effort to fight disease at source. Retrieved Jan. 31, 2008 from www.america.gov: http://www.america.gov/st/washfile-english/2007/July/20070720135159lcnirellep0.2875177.html

Why is a new Containment Level 3 vaccine research lab needed?
The need for infectious disease research and development of new vaccines has become urgent due to:

• the threat of an avian influenza pandemic and ongoing risk to domestic flocks
• concerns in Canada about diseases like West Nile virus and BSE
  • In 2003, Saskatchewan, despite its small population, had the highest number of cases of West Nile virus infection in Canada. In 2007, hundreds more cases occurred than in 2003, and Saskatchewan had more cases than the rest of the country's provinces and territories combined.
• concerns about the evolution of “super bugs” that are resistant to existing antibiotics
• the re-emergence of diseases like tuberculosis

Climate change and globalization are enabling new diseases to emerge and spread swiftly -- SARS and West Nile virus are recent examples. Agricultural practices leading to frequent contact between humans, livestock and birds can contribute to the spread of pathogens such as avian influenza H5N1. The need for research on infectious diseases of animals is underscored by the estimate that 50 per cent of all human infectious diseases and 75 per cent of all new or emerging infectious diseases have arisen in animals.* Many Level 3 diseases have profound impacts on quality of life and the economy, so there is urgent need for vaccines and treatments (SARS alone cost the world economy up to $40 billion**). These types of emerging diseases can only be studied in a Containment Level 3 laboratory.[TOP]
*Taylor, L.H., Latham, S.M., Woolhouse, M.E. (2001). Risk factors for human disease emergence. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. 356 (1411):983-9
**Knobler, S., Mahmoud, A., Lemon, S. et al (2004). (Eds. Forum on Microbial Threats), Learning from SARS: Preparing for the next disease outbreak -- Workshop summary. Washington DC: National Academies Press

What are some examples of research projects planned for InterVac?
InterVac will enable scientists to gain deeper understanding of Containment Level 3 infectious diseases, and to respond faster to emerging diseases affecting humans and animals. Diseases of focus will include those with serious impacts on humans or animals, or that can have significant economic consequences. Among these pathogens and diseases are tuberculosis bacteria, influenza, hantavirus, HIV, BSE, chronic wasting disease (CWD), Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD), SARS, rabies, and West Nile virus.

Part of InterVac’s mandate is to protect animal health and support the agricultural economy. InterVac will build on VIDO’s experience in working with cattle, horses, swine, sheep and poultry, as well as smaller mammals. The majority of the animal models that enable this research are also relevant to economically significant diseases of livestock. The U of S animal care committee and veterinarians operate under regulations established by the Canadian Council on Animal Care, ensuring animals are well treated. Veterinarians and other animal health officials receive training and continuing education to recognize and respond to disease outbreaks.

InterVac is also meant to enable researchers to respond quickly to new diseases yet to emerge, and potentially to contribute to diagnostic efforts. [TOP]

Why should InterVac be built by the University of Saskatchewan?
InterVac presents exciting possibilities for research collaborations involving the university’s Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) and the colleges of medicine and veterinary medicine, as well as public health agencies already on board to use the facility. It will expand a diverse bioscience cluster at the U of S.

Internationally, there are vaccine research institutes developing novel vaccines using genomics and recombinant DNA technology, but there is a shortage of facilities to test these vaccines in species other than mice. As one of a handful of large Canadian research facilities capable of accommodating large animal models, InterVac will attract researchers from around the world and will be at the forefront of research addressing such emerging disease threats as avian flu, tuberculosis and hepatitis C. [TOP]

How will University of Saskatchewan students benefit?
InterVac will provide unique training opportunities for students in areas such as veterinary medicine, medicine, and vaccinology. The new School of Public Health offers a graduate program in vaccinology and immunotherapeutics that will make significant use of the facility.

VIDO/InterVac will contribute to the University of Saskatchewan’s reputation as a centre of excellence for vaccine development and research. The U of S is a leading research university with renowned scientists. InterVac will help attract new faculty to the U of S and add to the resources available to existing faculty in the sciences. [TOP]

What are the benefits to the City of Saskatoon and the province?
There are economic, intellectual and wide-ranging social benefits flowing from the creation of InterVac at the U of S.

• In addition to construction employment, on completion in 2010, the facility will provide about 20 new, highly skilled jobs.
• The vaccine centre will attract researchers from around the globe, contributing to the economy and population of Saskatoon. InterVac will enable pharmaceutical companies to bring their products to market faster, leading to local economic impacts through relocation of companies to Saskatoon.
• VIDO’s research successes underscore the potential economic impact of InterVac. For example, VIDO vaccines for the prevention of calf scours (diarrhea) save an estimated $5 billion in economic losses per year across North America, with up to $75 million in Saskatchewan alone.*
• Economists have estimated that every dollar spent on some of the inexpensive childhood vaccines has yielded benefits as high as $27. **

In the case of an ongoing outbreak, InterVac will also serve as a back-up to the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg, Man., should there be urgent need for additional facilities. Only research taking place at or below CL3 would occur in this situation. [TOP]
*From a report prepared in 2000 for VIDO funders
**Pollack, A. (2004, October 29). Vaccines Are Good Business for Drug Makers. New York Times. Retrieved January 31, 2008, from http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/29/business/29inoculate.html?_r=1&ex=1100077683&ei=1&en=1bd7cf3236dfecea&oref=slogin

Who can use InterVac?
InterVac will serve the Canadian bioscience R&D community and will link with leading national and international commercialization programs. The defining feature of InterVac is its status as an accessible Containment Level 3 facility suitable for infectious disease R&D and work with large animal models. Any researcher in the world desiring use of the facilities and conducting eligible and relevant research would be considered.

InterVac will build on VIDO's experience with confidentiality and ability to offer a smooth research-to-development bridge. Users will benefit from business-based access to new licensable discoveries and international opportunities for development and deployment of new products. [TOP]

Who is funding InterVac construction?
The following partners have made InterVac a reality:
$49.0 M ...........Government of Canada
$32.5 M ……. Canada Foundation for Innovation
$35.5 M ……Government of Saskatchewan
$4.18 M ……. University of Saskatchewan
$.25 M …….. City of Saskatoon

The remainder is being pursued through continuing approaches to federal and provincial governments, the private sector and foundations. InterVac’s operating costs are expected to be covered by research grants, user fees, partnership funding, contract research and other sources. [TOP]

Who will own and operate InterVac?
InterVac and VIDO will operate as one organization under one director. Like VIDO, InterVac will be a non-profit organization owned by the University of Saskatchewan. As part of the new U of S School of Public Health, VIDO/InterVac will have a prominent role in student programming and research into infectious diseases and immunology. InterVac’s operating costs are expected to be covered by grants, user fees, partnership funding, contract research and other sources. [TOP]

Who is leading the InterVac construction project?

• Project architect – AODBT in association with Smith Carter
• Construction manager – PCL Maxam
• Project manager – U of S Facilities Management Division
• Structural engineer – Robb/Kullman Engineering LLP
• Mechanical engineers – Hemisphere Engineering Ltd. and Daniels Wingerak Engineering Ltd.
• Electrical engineers – Hemisphere Engineering Ltd. and PWA Engineering Ltd.
• Landscape architect – Crosby Hanna and Associates

An estimated 400 jobs will be created during InterVac construction.[TOP]

What are containment, or biosafety, levels?
This term means that certain safety measures and equipment must be in place in the laboratory to ensure workers are safe when studying live disease-causing organisms. In Canada, the term "containment" is used, while the U.S. term is "biosafety." The lowest rating, Containment Level 1, applies to organisms that do not cause disease in healthy humans. The highest rating, Containment Level 4, applies to exotic, lethal viruses that can be transmitted by aerosol (e.g., Ebola, smallpox). Canada has only one Containment Level 4 laboratory, located in Winnipeg, Man. InterVac does not have Containment Level 4 laboratory space, and it will not be added to this facility in future. [TOP]

What are the characteristics of a Containment Level 3 (CL3) laboratory?
A Level 3 laboratory is necessary to provide exceedingly safe conditions for research with viruses, bacteria and other pathogens rated at Containment Level 3, such as West Nile virus, avian influenza H5N1 and BSE. Such a facility, equipped with state-of-the-art, high-level, multisystem safety and security measures, is required to allow testing of vaccines and vaccine delivery systems to protect against these pathogens. [TOP]

How many Containment Level 3 labs exist in Canada?
There are no major existing Containment Level 3 laboratories for the study of human and animal diseases at the University of Saskatchewan or in the province. There are a number of CL3 labs in Canada (approximately 90), most being small labs operated by provincial health departments or attached to medical schools. Various federal government agencies also operate Containment Level 3 facilities for research, diagnostic and/or training purposes. [TOP]

What aspects of the InterVac facility promote energy efficiency and environmental sustainability?
To qualify for federal funding, it is necessary to have an environmental impact assessment completed, and this has been done, with significant environmental effects being judged as unlikely.

We are doing all we can to minimize energy consumption in the building, including:

• using a heat exchange system to reclaim heat from the outgoing air
• maximizing the amount of natural light entering the building
• scheduling off the air systems for non-essential areas during off-hours
• use of high performance glass and reflective-surface assemblies to prevent excessive heat loss and heat gain

Additional features of the building that will work towards maximizing its overall sustainability include:

• providing showers and bike racks for employees to encourage the use of bicycles for transportation
• close proximity to existing public transit stops
• interior “passive solar masses” to capture and retain winter heat from the sun
• use of polished concrete flooring to maximize durability while minimizing maintenance
• selection of drought-resistant plant species to minimize the need for irrigation
• selection of locally available and natural material for finishing, such as Tyndal stone

Because of the unique nature of the InterVac project, some compromise of energy-saving features is necessary to maximize safety. For instance, exhaust air must pass through a series of HEPA filters and cannot be re-circulated within the building, and all outgoing waste from the facility must be sterilized. For this reason, InterVac is not able to meet LEED standards (The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System).

Nonetheless, every effort is being made to make the facility as efficient as possible while maintaining the safety and integrity required by the regulatory bodies that oversee this and similar facilities. [TOP]

Who will regulate InterVac?
Containment Level 3 and 4 laboratories dealing with human pathogens must be certified by the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Office of Laboratory Security. Containment Level 3 and 4 labs dealing strictly with animal pathogens are certified by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. As InterVac will deal with human and animal diseases, both federal regulators will be involved.

InterVac’s biosafety officer will report to the University of Saskatchewan Department of Health, Safety and the Environment.
Once InterVac is operating, the U of S biosafety program will monitor the facility, ensuring adherence to strict federal regulations. [TOP]

How can the community have confidence that InterVac will be operated safely?
Containment facilities effectively isolate pathogens due to state-of-the-art equipment and stringent protocols. A Containment Level 3 facility built in accordance with the regulations is safe to work in, safe to the public and for the environment. InterVac is being built to exceed current Containment Level 3 regulations: it will be more secure than standard Level 3 laboratories.

Access to the InterVac labs will be highly restricted and controlled, with 24-hour security personnel on-site. Contaminants will be prevented from getting in or out. All air flow will be filtered and all effluent filtered and sterilized.Rigorous safety practices, state-of-the art safety equipment and specially engineered building features protect laboratory personnel and the surrounding community from exposure to infectious agents. [TOP]

What happens if there are concerns within the local community?
The University of Saskatchewan has set up an independent InterVac Community Liaison Committee (CLC) to ensure full and open communication on safety issues related to InterVac.

This committee incorporates members from diverse local stakeholder groups. The CLC will be responsible for seeking information on activities of community concern, as well as for monitoring issues related to safety and any incidents of potential public interest. Members of the public are encouraged to contact the CLC Co-Chair Patricia Roe with any questions or concerns.

If concerns raised with VIDO/InterVac management are not addressed, the committee is authorized to direct unresolved concerns to the U of S Vice-President Research, the President of the University of Saskatchewan and appropriate government and regulatory officials, with the authority to take the issue to the public at large if necessary. [TOP]