There’s promising research into a disease that is devastating the hog industry in China going on at the VIDO-InterVac facility in Saskatoon. The disease has claimed half the country’s breeding herd and could send global pork prices higher.
The Saskatoon facility is working with the Chinese to develop a vaccine to treat the disease. The $200 million centre is known worldwide for the capability of its 150 employees who have also played a role in vaccine development for things such as Zika , Ebola and tuberculosis. The centre works on both animal and human vaccines but wants to expand to generate the capacity to manufacture vaccines.
This Level 3 facility is world class and two other vaccine manufacturers in the country have either been relocated to another nation or bought by foreign interests, leaving the country vulnerable to accessing vaccines in the event of a major outbreak…something like SARS some years back.
Officials say the Saskatoon facility could be positioned to meet Canada’s emergency needs for as little as $10 million and are now beginning to raise awareness of the need for such a plan.
