USask VIDO-InterVac expands international role to test antiviral compounds against COVID-19
Oct 13, 2020
Testing will occur in VIDO-InterVac’s world-class containment Level 3-agriculture (CL3-Ag) facility using a hamster model of SARS-CoV-2 infection, a model meant to mimic human infections.
“This important project is evidence of the collaborative global response to fight COVID-19,” said VIDO-InterVac Director Dr. Volker Gerdts. “The ultimate goal is to develop a safe solution to end this pandemic as quickly as possible.”
As a world leader in infectious disease research and vaccine development for humans and animals, VIDO-InterVac frequently works with companies and research institutes in the fight against COVID-19. VIDO-InterVac is currently engaged with more than 80 organizations globally to test antivirals, vaccines, and other therapeutics.
On the front lines of the global effort to develop a vaccine, VIDO-InterVac continues to advance its COVID-19 vaccine candidates, including a formulation with an adjuvant (a component that helps vaccines work better by boosting immune response) developed by VIDO-InterVac and its partners as part of the original Grand Challenges in Global Health Initiative funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
With one of the largest and most advanced CL3-Ag research facilities in the world, VIDO-InterVac was the first in Canada to isolate SARS-CoV-2 and the first in the country to establish an animal model for testing vaccines, antivirals and therapeutics.
The COVID-19 Therapeutics Accelerator advances and evaluates new and repurposed drugs and biologics to treat patients with COVID-19 in the immediate term, and other viral pathogens in the longer term. For more information, visit: www.therapeuticsaccelerator.org
About VIDO-InterVac, University of Saskatchewan
The University of Saskatchewan’s VIDO-InterVac is internationally recognized for its role in vaccine development and is one of Canada’s national science facilities. VIDO-InterVac 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 150-member organization operates using an ISO:9001 certified management system in state-of-the-art containment level 2 and 3 facilities.
About the COVID-19 Therapeutics Accelerator
The Therapeutics Accelerator is an initiative launched by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Wellcome, and Mastercard to speed up the response to the COVID-19 pandemic by identifying, assessing, developing, and scaling up treatments. Its partners are committed to equitable access, including making products available and affordable in low-resource settings. The COVID-19 Therapeutics Accelerator will play a catalytic role by accelerating and evaluating new and repurposed drugs and biologics to treat patients with COVID-19 in the immediate term, and other viral pathogens in the longer term. For more information, visit www.therapeuticsaccelerator.org