VIDO and VFI collaborate to strengthen pandemic preparedness

Apr 28, 2023

The Vaccine Formulation Institute (VFI) and the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) have signed a collaborative research agreement to help drive joint vaccine development. The agreement enhances an established alliance between the two organizations on COVID-19 and will support a rapid and unified response to future pandemics.

VFI, located in Geneva, Switzerland, develops vaccine adjuvants and formulations under open-access terms, to advance global vaccine development. VIDO, located in Saskatoon, Canada, is a global leader in infectious disease research and vaccine development and has commercialized eight vaccine technologies, six of which were world firsts. This collaboration aims to develop and test novel vaccine formulations for emerging pathogens, including developing the next generation of adjuvants to help drive protective immune responses.

VFI Co-Founder and CEO Dr. Nicolas Collin said, “International collaborations are of paramount importance during responses against outbreaks. We are delighted to strengthen our partnership with VIDO to develop affordable vaccine technologies that can be made accessible to all.”

The announcement strengthens VFI’s partnership with VIDO, which includes a project funded by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) to create broadly protective coronavirus vaccines. VFI also co-developed with Seppic (France) the Sepivac SWE™ adjuvant, a key component in the formulation of COVAC-2, VIDO’s COVID-19 subunit vaccine candidate currently being evaluated in clinical studies.

VIDO Director and CEO Dr. Volker Gerdts stated, “Preparing for future pandemics requires a co-ordinated, international effort. We are delighted to further our partnership with VFI. The technologies developed will help ensure a rapid response to the next emerging infectious disease.”

The research agreement was announced during VFI’s Adjuvants and Formulations for the Future Symposium, held in Geneva on April 27, 2023, which celebrated the organization’s 10th year since its creation in 2012.

About the Vaccine Formulation Institute:

The Vaccine Formulation Institute is a not-for-profit company whose mission is to facilitate access to adjuvant technologies for the benefit of the global vaccine community, through provision of adjuvants, research and development on vaccine formulations and training. VFI is a partner in several global vaccine development consortia and international programmes, contributing to global health with a specific focus on resource-constrained countries. www.vaccineformulationinstitute.org

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 a 45-year history of vaccine development and commercialization—eight of its vaccines have been sold commercially, and six have been described as world-firsts. The >170-member organization operates using an ISO:9001 certified management system in state-of-the-art containment Level 2 and 3 facilities. 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. Visit www.vido.org