Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization

The Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization is a non-profit organization owned by the University of Saskatchewan and operates with financial support from the governments of Saskatchewan and Alberta as well as Government of Canada and industry competitive grants. In addition to the 100,000 sq ft (10,000 m²) facility on campus, VIDO also operates a 160-acre (0.6 km²) research station.

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VIDO is a member of three National Networks of Centres of Excellence: the Canadian Bacterial Diseases Network, the Canadian Network for Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics(CANVAC), and PrioNet.

VIDO has created three spin-off companies (BIOSTAR Inc., BIOWEST, and STAR BIOTECH) and has worked with start-up companies including (PharmaDerm Laboratories, Taiga Bioactivities, Vetrepharm Canada Inc. and Inimex Veterinary Research).

History

Initially called the Veterinary Infectious Disease Organization, VIDO was established with funding from the Devonian Group of Charitable Foundations, the Province of Alberta and the Province of Saskatchewan. VIDO had strong ties to the University of Saskatchewan’s Western College of Veterinary Medicine.

In March 2003, VIDO’s name was changed to the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization. In October a new 50,000 sq ft (5,000 m²) expansion was completed.

In March 2004, VIDO received funding for the construction of a Biosafety Level 3 laboratory, the International Vaccine Centre (InterVac) for research into emerging and persistent human and animal diseases.

Vaccines

• Ecolan RC™ (Cattle) - Prevention of bacterial and viral calf scours.
• Hevlan TC™ (Poultry) - Prevention of enteritis in turkeys.
• Pleuro-Star 4™ (Swine) - Prevention of Porcine Pleuropneumonia
• Pneumo-Star™ (Cattle) - Prevention of Pasteurella infection.
• Somnu-Star™ (Cattle) - Prevention of Haemophilosis in cattle.
• Somnu-Star Ph™ (Cattle) - Prevention of Pasteurellosis and Haemophilosis in cattle.
• Vicogen™ (Cattle) - Prevention of calf scours.

Chief Executive Officer

• Chris Bigland (1975-1984)
• Stephen Acres (1984-1993)
• Lorne Babiuk (1993-2007)
• Andy Potter (2007-present)