New Name for World-Class U of S Vaccine Research Centre
Posted March 04, 2003
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 4, 2003 2003-03-04-VIDO
New Name for World-Class U of S Vaccine Research Centre
The Veterinary Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) has officially changed
its name to the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) to
reflect its emerging focus on both human and animal vaccine research,
University of Saskatchewan President Peter MacKinnon announced today.
"VIDO has been so successful that it has outgrown both its building and its
name," said MacKinnon.
"Over the past two decades, VIDO has transformed itself from a small team of
pioneers in veterinary biotechnology to a world-class research centre for
vaccine development that is now poised to take advantage of the increasing
convergence of animal and human health research."
With its $17.3-million expansion and its leadership in a $27-million
national genomics project, VIDO will be well-equipped to use the power of
genomics - the new science of deciphering and understanding the genetic code
of life - to define the next generation of products for both animal and
human health, he added.
VIDO, established in 1975, is wholly owned by the U of S. The unit is
renowned for the research, development and commercialization of products
used by producers in the food animal industry. It is credited with five
"world firsts" in animal vaccine research, and currently holds, or has
pending, 50 biotechnology patents.
Last fall, VIDO was awarded $27 million from Genome Canada and other
government and corporate funders to lead a national genomics project that
will help fight infectious diseases.
VIDO's expanded, state-of-the-art facility is expected to be completed by
September of 2003. Within five years, VIDO expects its staff to grow to 145,
from about 100 now.
"We've been recruiting staff continuously since the expansion was announced
last year, and we already have 15 new scientists and technical staff on
board in the areas of vaccine formulation, genomics and bioinformatics,"
said VIDO director Lorne Babiuk.
With more space, equipment and staff, VIDO will be able to take full
advantage of the research opportunities at the Canadian Light Source
(www.lightsource.ca) which is being constructed nearby on the U of S campus.
More information about VIDO is available at http://www.vido.org/.
VIDO's new logo is provided below.
Contact information:
Kathryn Warden
University of Saskatchewan
Research Communications
966-2506
kathryn.warden@usask.ca
www.usask.ca/research
Lorne Babiuk
University of Saskatchewan
VIDO Director
(306) 966-7475
