VIDO partners with four research hubs to strengthen Canada’s infectious disease preparedness

Apr 11, 2023

The University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) is a partner in four new research hubs established to strengthen Canada’s biomanufacturing capacity and pandemic preparedness. The hubs are part of a 2-Stage, close to $600 million, investment made by the Government of Canada under the integrated Canada Biomedical Research Fund (CBRF) and the Biosciences Research Infrastructure Fund (BRIF). Stage 1, which included the creation of five regional hubs, is valued at $10 million.

The hubs will help accelerate the research, development, and translation of vaccines therapeutics and diagnostics into commercially viable products and processes. They will also expand skilled talent by supporting training and development.

“VIDO is home to some of the most advanced containment and biomanufacturing capacity in the world and will be a major partner in this initiative,” said VIDO Director and CEO Dr. Volker Gerdts. “As a national facility we are proud to collaborate and support efforts across Canada that strengthen pandemic readiness and protect the health of Canadians.”

Through the hubs, federal funding of $570 million will be available over the next four years to support project proposals that advance Canada’s Biomanufacturing and Life Sciences Strategy. VIDO will lend its expertise and infrastructure capacity to help support applicable projects funded through the Stage 2 investment.

VIDO is part of various hub steering and review committees and has team members on the core scientific teams of the PRAIRIE and Canadian Pandemic Preparedness Hubs.

Partner Hubs:

PRAIRIE Hub (led by the University of Alberta) is focused on accelerating the development and commercialization of vaccine, antiviral and diagnostic countermeasures for potential pandemic pathogens.
Canada’s Immuno-Engineering and Biomanufacturing Hub (led by The University of British Columbia) will help develop next-generation immune-based therapeutics that can be manufactured domestically using the latest innovations in biomanufacturing in response to pandemics.
Canadian Pandemic Preparedness Hub (led by the University of Ottawa and McMaster University) will catalyze research and biomanufacturing innovations to help Canada produce vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics ahead of future pandemics.
Canadian Hub for Health Intelligence & Innovation in Infectious Diseases (led by the University of Toronto) is focused on advancing the concept of “personalized and precise medicine” to influence the development of vaccines, therapeutics and other public health interventions.

Additional information: