USask’s VIDO awarded National Institutes of Health contract to develop critical models for global research

Aug 23, 2024

SASKATOON — The University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) has been awarded a major new research contract in the global fight against infectious diseases. 

VIDO has received an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract under the pre-clinical models of infectious disease program by the United States’ National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

VIDO was one of four international awardees and the only Canadian organization selected as part of the program which further demonstrates VIDO’s scientific excellence, robust quality systems, and strong ethical research practices. The seven-year IDIQ contract’s ceiling is $146.3M USD.

The NIH is the largest public funder of biomedical research in the world. NIAID supports and facilitates research that focuses on understanding, treating and, ultimately, preventing infectious, immunologic and allergic diseases. 

Under the program, VIDO can help organizations bring new therapeutics, vaccines and diagnostics to market by testing them for their effectiveness against infectious diseases of high concern.

“For almost half a century, VIDO has supported the development of new vaccines and therapeutics for infectious diseases. This award further demonstrates the impact VIDO has on the world and helps to ensure we are prepared for the next pandemic,” said Dr. Volker Gerdts, Director and CEO of VIDO.

This announcement aligns with VIDO’s strategic efforts to increase its global presence as part of its mission to protect the world from infectious diseases.

“VIDO continues to be a world leader in scientific innovation. This incredible success is another example of the tremendous contributions USask makes to advancing health globally and being the university the world needs,” said USask President, Peter Stoicheff.

For more information, contact:

Daniel Hallen
USask Media Relations
daniel.hallen@usask.ca
306-966-6922

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

 
About University of Saskatchewan’s Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization

The University of Saskatchewan’s Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) is internationally recognized for its role in vaccine development and is one of Canada’s national science facilities. VIDO has conducted infectious disease research and vaccine development for almost half a century—eight of its vaccines have been sold commercially, and six have been described as world-firsts. The >200-member organization operates using an ISO9001 certified management system in one of the largest and most advanced containment facilities in the world. To strengthen the preparedness for emerging infectious diseases VIDO is expanding to become Canada’s Centre for Pandemic Research which includes GMP CL3 capable vaccine manufacturing and containment Level 4 capacity. 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. 

This project has been funded in whole or in part with Federal funds from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, under Contract No. 75N93024D00040.