Infectious disease threats are rising. Canada needs domestic capacity to detect, test, and develop solutions quickly.
New infectious diseases continue to emerge, affecting human and animal health, food security, and economies. Many originate in animals, making a One Health approach that addresses the connection between human and animal health increasingly important. The challenge is not only responding to the next health or biological threat, but ensuring the right capacity, capabilities, and expertise are in place before it arrives.
Canada’s life sciences sector has a critical role to play in building that readiness. That means investing in organizations that can move quickly from discovery to real-world solutions.
From research to readiness
The Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) is helping strengthen Canada’s preparedness through integrated capabilities that bring together scientific expertise, biocontainment facilities, and vaccine manufacturing. Located at the University of Saskatchewan, the organization is advancing solutions to emerging infectious diseases and biological threats that can impact people, animals, and global stability.
Its end-to-end model helps accelerate the path from identifying a threat to testing and manufacturing countermeasures to advance solutions. During COVID-19, VIDO’s researchers evaluated more than 500 medicines while also supporting vaccine development and critical research.
“Preparedness is built long before an emergency begins,” says Volker Gerdts, Director and CEO of VIDO. “Canada benefits when we have the expertise, infrastructure, and partnerships to respond quickly and develop solutions at home and abroad.”
As countries look to strengthen health security and sovereign capacity, Canada has an opportunity to lead through science, innovation, and readiness.
VIDO by the Numbers
- Operates one of the world’s largest and most advanced high-containment facilities
- Commercialized 8 vaccines, with 4 more in later-stage development
- Trained over 1,200 highly qualified personnel since inception
See how Canadian science is advancing health security at vido.org.