Uniting for Global Health: VIDO Becomes Partner in INTERCEPTOR Project

At VIDO, our mission has always been clear: to protect the world from infectious diseases through research, innovation, and global collaboration. That’s why we’re proud to announce that we’ve joined the INTERCEPTOR (INTERnational Cooperation of high containment research infrastructures: from Epidemic Preparedness TO Response) project as an Associated Partner—a major step forward in our ongoing efforts to build our global response network for a healthier, safer world.

INTERCEPTOR brings together 19 of the world’s leading high-containment laboratories with an ultimate goal to strengthen pandemic preparedness and response capabilities through coordinated international action.

“As part of the University of Saskatchewan and one of Canada’s national science facilities, VIDO is uniquely positioned to contribute to the INTERCEPTOR goals,” said Dr. Volker Gerdts VIDO Director and CEO. “Our containment level 3 capabilities, large-animal infrastructure, and ongoing upgrade to containment level 4—combined with decades of experience in vaccine development and manufacturing—make us a strong addition to this global network.”

By joining INTERCEPTOR, VIDO will:

• Collaborate globally on emerging infectious diseases that threaten both human and animal health;
• Support knowledge-sharing and training initiatives to help develop the next generation of high-containment lab scientists;
• Contribute to coordinated pandemic response strategies informed by science, readiness, and innovation.

“Bringing VIDO into the INTERCEPTOR network strengthens our global capabilities and capacity and reinforces our commitment to being a proactive force in the fight against infectious diseases—wherever and whenever they emerge,” said Jonathan Ewbank, Director General of ERINHA and INTERCEPTOR Coordinator.

Together with international partners, VIDO is building a stronger foundation for global health security.

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101132215. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency (REA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.