VIDO Awarded $19.2 million for International Vaccine Centre

Saskatoon, Sask., March 8, 2004: A $61.8-million International Vaccine Centre (INTERVAC) dedicated to protecting human and animal health from the threat of emerging diseases was given the green light today at the University of Saskatchewan.

U of S President Peter MacKinnon welcomed the announcement that the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) will contribute $19.2 million toward construction of INTERVAC, to be owned and operated by the U of S. The remaining funding will be sought from government and other sources.

“Thanks to the vision of VIDO director Lorne Babiuk and the support of our partners, INTERVAC will contribute significant health and economic benefits to the city and the region,” said MacKinnon. “This state-of-the-art facility will be a leader in research into emerging diseases. It will advance health, veterinary and life sciences research on campus and help to retain and attract high-calibre scientists.”

The full release is available at:
http://announcements.usask.ca/news/archive/2004/03/192_million_awa.html