VIDO signs international agreement with ERINHA to strengthen global pandemic preparedness

SASKATOON — The Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) has signed a new international agreement with the European Research Infrastructure on Highly Pathogenic Agents (ERINHA), formalizing a partnership that will make VIDO the network’s North American hub.

The agreement was signed in Paris, France and witnessed by Premier Scott Moe who joined senior leaders from ERINHA, VIDO, and USask to mark the collaboration and recognize Saskatchewan’s growing role in global research and innovation. The partnership will support work on infectious disease threats that can affect human and animal health, food security, and economies around the world, underscoring the value of trusted networks in preparing for health challenges that do not stop at borders. The event was part of an extended mission by the Government of Saskatchewan to Europe.

ERINHA is a unique federation of maximum and high-containment laboratories and research institutes across Europe that accelerates collaborative research on high-risk pathogens. Through coordinated access to specialized facilities, expertise, and scientific services, ERINHA supports the work needed to advance vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments for emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases like Ebola.

Through the partnership, VIDO will contribute integrated vaccine manufacturing capacity, high-containment research, large-animal model expertise, and training and exchange opportunities to the ERINHA network.

The agreement builds on decades of provincial and federal government investment in VIDO, including its expansion, its role as Canada’s Centre for Pandemic Research, and its recent designation as a Major Research Facility by the Canada Foundation for Innovation. It also creates new opportunities to attract international projects, scientific exchange, and potential funding to the province.

By connecting research infrastructure, technical expertise, and manufacturing, the partnership strengthens global efforts to advance science and respond to emerging infectious disease threats.

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Quotes

Dr. Volker Gerdts, Director and CEO, VIDO
“This agreement reflects VIDO’s commitment to working with leading international partners to protect human and animal health. By joining the ERINHA network, VIDO will help strengthen global pandemic preparedness, food security, and biodefence while advancing Canada’s role in developing vaccines, diagnostics, and other solutions for high-consequence infectious diseases. We are proud to bring Saskatchewan science to this important international partnership.”

Dr. Jonathan Ewbank, Director General, ERINHA
“Global preparedness depends on trusted international partnerships and access to world-class scientific expertise. ERINHA is pleased to welcome VIDO as our first North American hub, strengthening our network with exceptional high-containment research, animal health expertise, and integrated vaccine manufacturing capacity. This agreement will help advance the collaborative science needed to better understand and respond to emerging infectious disease threats. We know that we can count on Canadian partners!”

Dr. Baljit Singh, Vice-President Research, University of Saskatchewan
“The University of Saskatchewan is proud to support research that addresses urgent global challenges while creating impact for Saskatchewan and Canada. Through VIDO, USask is home to world-class expertise and infrastructure that strengthen pandemic preparedness, food security, and innovation. This agreement with ERINHA demonstrates the power of international collaboration and the important role universities play in building a safer and healthier future.”

Premier Scott Moe, Premier of Saskatchewan
“Saskatchewan continues to build strong international partnerships that showcase our province’s world-class research, innovation and expertise. This agreement highlights the global impact being made right here in Saskatchewan and reinforces our province’s role in advancing solutions that protect people, animals, and food systems around the world.”

For more information, contact:

Ashley Trask
USask Media Relations
Ashley.trask@usask.ca
306-966-4522

Caitlin Gill
VIDO Communications Advisor
caitlin.gill@usask.ca
306-966-2083

About the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization

The Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) at the University of Saskatchewan is one of Canada’s national science facilities and a global leader in infectious disease research and vaccine development. For more than 50 years, VIDO has helped protect people, animals and food systems through science, with eight commercialized vaccines, including six world-firsts. As Canada’s Centre for Pandemic Research, VIDO operates one of the world’s largest and most advanced containment facilities, bringing together high-containment laboratories, large-animal research capacity and GMP-compliant vaccine manufacturing to advance solutions for emerging infectious diseases. VIDO receives operating support from the Canada Foundation for Innovation Major Science Initiatives Fund and the Government of Saskatchewan through Innovation Saskatchewan and the Ministry of Agriculture. Learn more at vido.org.

About ERINHA

The European Research Infrastructure on Highly Pathogenic Agents (ERINHA) is a non-profit international consortium that integrates leading high-containment research facilities and services across Europe. The network supports research on high-consequence infectious agents by providing coordinated access to expertise, infrastructure, and scientific resources. ERINHA advances scientific excellence and pandemic preparedness through collaborative research, resource sharing, and multidisciplinary partnerships.