History

Originally established in 1975 as the Veterinary Infectious Disease Organization, we have evolved from a small agricultural focused research organization to a world-class research institute dedicated to the development of vaccines for the protection of human and animal health.

Saving Livestock through Research

The Veterinary Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) was founded with financial support from the Devonian Group of Charitable Foundations, the Provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta and the University of Saskatchewan. Pictured, VIDO's founding Director Dr. Christopher Bigland.

1975

Official Opening

VIDO officially opened its permanent laboratory and animal isolation facilities

1978

First Vaccine Launched

VICOGEN™, an E. Coli scours vaccine for cattle, was launched in collaboration with Connaught Laboratories

1978

Launch of BIOSTAR Inc.

BIOSTAR Inc., a federally incorporated company was launched to market animal health technologies and products developed at VIDO to national and international biological production companies

1983

Second Director Appointed

Dr. Stephen Acres replaces Dr. Chris Bigland as VIDO’s second Director, with Dr. Lorne Babiuk appointed as the Director of Research

1983

Second Vaccine Launched

Commercialization of ECOLAN RC™, a subunit vaccine against calf scours caused by E. coli, rotavirus and coronavirus

1984

New 'World-First' Vaccine

Launch of HEVLAN TC™, the world’s first vaccine for hemorrhagic enteritis of turkeys

1986

Research Station Opens

VIDO opens its 160 acre research station for large scale animal trials

1987

3 New Vaccines Launched

Three new vaccines for bovine respiratory diseases commercialized: Pneumo-Star™, Somnu-Star™ and Somnu-Star Ph™

1992

Third Director Appointed

Dr. Lorne Babiuk becomes VIDO’s third Director

1993

Swine Vaccine Commercialized

Commercialization of Pleuro-Star 4™, a vaccine for swine that stimulates a protective immune response against the common strains of the bacteria causing swine pleuro-pneumonia

1997

Containment Level 2 Expansion Opens

VIDO opens a new $17.8 million, 50,000 square foot expansion of containment level 2 laboratories and offices. Funding received from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation, the Province of Saskatchewan and the Province of Alberta

2003

New Name and Logo

Renamed as the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization to reflect expanded research goals

2003

Fourth Director Appointed

Dr. Andrew Potter takes over as VIDO’s new Director & CEO

2007

Econiche Launch

Econiche™, a vaccine for cattle against E. coli O157:H7, co-developed by researchers at the University of British Columbia commercialized by Bioniche Life Sciences Inc.

2008

PREVENT Established

VIDO-InterVac, the Canadian Center for Vaccinology, and the BC Centre for Disease Control fund the establishment of the Pan-Provincial Vaccine Enterprise Inc., a not-for-profit organization focused on commercializing promising human vaccine candidates

2008

InterVac Grand Opening

VIDO celebrates the opening of its $140 million containment level 3 facility, the International Vaccine Centre (InterVac). The event was attended by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall and Saskatoon Mayor Donald Atchison

2011