$3 Million Announced to Support Further VIDO Expansion

Posted March 04, 2003


Prepared by Western Economic Diversification and the University of
Saskatchewan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 4, 2003

$3 MILLION ANNOUNCED TO SUPPORT FURTHER VIDO EXPANSION

SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN - The Veterinary Infectious Disease Organization
(VIDO) at the University of Saskatchewan is adding a third floor to its
current expansion to provide space for more researchers participating in a
national genomics project. Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) is
providing $2.5 million for the extra floor while Saskatchewan Industry and
Resources will contribute $500,000.

Public Works and Government Services Minister Ralph Goodale, on behalf of
Stephen Owen, Secretary of State (Western Economic
Diversification) (Indian Affairs and Northern Development), and
Saskatchewan Industry and Resources Minister Eric Cline today announced
funding for the $3 million third-floor project, which brings the total
value of the VIDO expansion to $17.3 million.

The scientists and equipment installed on the new floor will fulfill
VIDO's role in a $27 million Genome Canada project to use genomics - the
science of unraveling the genetic basis of life - to better understand how
immunity to infectious agents works and how it can be enhanced. The whole
expansion will be completed by September 2003.

"The Government of Canada is committed to strengthening Western Canada's
research capacity and accelerating our ability to commercialize research
discoveries," said Minister Goodale. "Today's investment builds on WD's $2
million contribution last May for VIDO's current expansion. In
Saskatchewan, Western Economic Diversification Canada and its partners are
helping make this country one of the top five in the world for research
and development."

"Not only are we securing Saskatchewan's position as a global leader in
food animal disease research, we are also drawing more of the best and
brightest scientific minds to this province," Industry and Resources
Minister Eric Cline said. "We are committed to supporting VIDO's research
and commercialization activities as they continue to attract significant
investment to Saskatchewan."

"This new funding will assist VIDO in becoming a leading-edge genomics
centre in animal and human health and will contribute to growing U of S
strengths in life sciences," said Bryan Harvey, U of S Acting
Vice-President Research. "The expansion will increase current lab space
and employ at least 11 trainees and an equivalent number of scientists and
technicians within the first three years of use."

In April 2002, VIDO received $27 million from Genome Canada and its
partners to help lead a national project. In November 2002, VIDO and two
corporate sponsors signed an agreement launching work on the project with
researchers at the University of Saskatchewan, the University of British
Columbia, Simon Fraser University and the British Columbia Cancer
Agency. Researchers will explore the genetics of bacteria to see which
genes are responsible for causing disease, as well as the genes that
marshal the body's defense against these organisms. The work is expected
to lead to the development of new medicines and vaccines to combat
infectious diseases in both humans and animals.

VIDO is a unit of the University of Saskatchewan. It is undergoing an
expansion that will increase the size of its main facility to 80,000
square feet from 30,000 square feet and nearly double its staff, from 85
to 145, in the next five years. Advanced DNA analysis capabilities will
also be added.

VIDO is a global leader in research into the diseases that afflict food
animals. It developed the world's first genetically engineered vaccine to
combat shipping fever in cattle, and continues to develop vaccines and
needle-free delivery systems that have implications for animal and human
health.

Federal funding for this project was provided for in the February 2003
budget and is therefore built into the existing financial framework.

Information about VIDO is available at http://www.vido.org.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Joanne Mysak
Manager
Consultations, Marketing and Communications
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
(306) 975-5942
1-888-338-9378
www.wd.gc.ca

Kathryn Warden
University of Saskatchewan
Research Communications
(306) 966-2506
www.usask.ca/research