The Saskatchewan government has handed over the first $5.7 million instalment of its $24.7 million commitment to support building the new International Vaccine Centre at the University of Saskatchewan.
The $110 million project, which is scheduled to open in early 2010, builds on the work of the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization, which began life as a livestock disease research centre and has grown into what will be a world class facility able to conduct tests on entire herds and flocks of livestock under one roof.
Soon to depart for the University of Alberta, VIDO director Lorne Babiuk said the province’s vision to support the centre and his dream of Intervac has made the expansion possible.
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U of S president Peter McKinnon called the funding “a profound commitment to science and innovation.”
New Democrat MLA Pat Atkinson said producers will see direct benefits from Intervac.
“VIDO reduced farmers’ costs and made them more competitive through science and innovation. Intervac builds on that history. It builds Saskatchewan’s future in science and agriculture.”
Babiuk said BSE is the type of zoonotic disease issue that Intervac will research. It has cost Canadian producers $7 to $9 billion, he added.
He said Intervac will able to tackle diseases such as BSE the way VIDO did scours 20 years ago.
“But it’s the money that will turn the sod. The province was first to the plate when we began this project and they are capping it off with the money that will let us start digging when the snow melts.”
