Prime Minister Harper opens World Class Research Facility

September 16, 2011

Facility will help create jobs and long-term economic growth

SASKATOON – Prime Minister Stephen Harper today participated in the opening of the International Vaccine Centre (InterVac), a world-class Canadian research facility at the University of Saskatchewan.  InterVac is designed to safely study new and existing infectious diseases, including SARS, HIV and West Nile virus.

“As part of our low-tax plan to create jobs and growth, our Government is providing scientists with facilities and equipment to conduct groundbreaking research and protect the health of Canadians,” said the Prime Minister. “This new facility will be a centre of excellence creating jobs for highly skilled researchers, opportunities for training for students and building on our international profile as a leader in public health.”

With support from the Government, InterVac – which is expected to become fully operational in 2012 – will be open to researchers from around the world and will enable international collaboration and partnerships. It will also serve as a valuable tool in mitigating the economic and social costs of infectious diseases and will alleviate the worldwide shortage of Containment Level 3 (CL3) laboratory space.

As part of the University of Saskatchewan’s Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), InterVac will significantly enhance Canada’s capacity to develop vaccines for both humans and animals, helping to ensure that Canada remains a leader in global research.

“Our Government will continue to support science, technology and innovation – key drivers of economic productivity, competitiveness and growth,” added the Prime Minister.



Backgrounder

The International Vaccine Centre, University of Saskatchewan

On September 16, 2011, Prime Minister Stephen Harper participated in the official opening of the International Vaccine Centre (InterVac), one of the largest Containment Level 3 (CL3) vaccine research and development facilities in North America.  He also toured the facility.

InterVac is a highly secure facility designed to safely study and handle CL3 infectious pathogens and agents affecting humans and animals. CL3 diseases include SARS, HIV/AIDS, pandemic influenza, West Nile virus, tuberculosis, and mad-cow disease (bovine spongiform encephalopathy).  InterVac features airtight rooms with interlocking bio-seal doors, specialized waste disposal facilities, and other fail-safe security measures to ensure the safety of all individuals involved in infectious disease research and vaccine development. 

The facility will develop and expand Canadian scientific expertise and national capacity related to the research, development and production of vaccines.  These vaccines can be marketed globally to prevent health challenges, such as world-wide pandemics, providing substantial economic benefits to Canadians.

InterVac – which is expected to become fully operational in 2012 – will be operated by the University of Saskatchewan’s Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO). VIDO is already recognized as a world leader in the research and development of vaccines for humans and animals. It holds over 80 patents for its innovative discoveries and has successfully developed several animal vaccines that are commercially distributed. 

Support for the $140 million project was provided by the Government of Canada, the Canada Foundation for Innovation, the Government of Saskatchewan, the University of Saskatchewan and the City of Saskatoon. The funding breakdown is as follows:

• Government of Canada funding ($49 million):

• Western Economic Diversification: $25 million
• Public Health Agency of Canada: $9 million
• Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada: $9 million
• Canadian Food Inspection Agency: $6 million

• Partner funding ($91 million):
  • Government of Saskatchewan: approx. $57 million
  • Canada Foundation for Innovation: approx. $32.5 million
  • University of Saskatchewan: approx. $1 million
  • City of Saskatoon: $250,000