USask’s VIDO-InterVac partners with Canadian manufacturers to combat COVID-19

August 6, 2020, 8:11 am

A world leader in developing vaccines and technologies to combat infectious diseases, the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization-International Vaccine Centre (VIDO-InterVac) has partnered with Dalton Pharma Services (Dalton), as well as Biodextris, in the effort to develop a vaccine for COVID-19.

Under the terms of the recently announced partnership, Dalton will be responsible for the formulation and fill/finish of VIDO-InterVac’s innovative COVID-19 vaccine, to be used in early phase clinical trials in Dalton`s state-of-the-art cGMP, Health Canada-approved biopharmaceutical facility in Toronto.

“The development of an effective COVID-19 vaccine is of utmost urgency and VIDO-InterVac is excited to have Dalton as a trusted partner as we work together on this critical initiative,” said Dr. Volker Gerdts (DVM), director and CEO of VIDO-InterVac, in a news release.

As reported by CBC, Biodextris, a company based near Montreal, has also confirmed it will manufacture part of the vaccine for early-stage human clinical trials planned to begin later this year, pending approval.

Dr. Paul Hodgson (PhD), associate director of business development at VIDO-InterVac, confirmed the partnership to CBC, stating ”they are also world-leading companies.… We've worked with Dalton for probably the better part of two decades. Biodextris has roots in major pharmaceutical companies, so these guys are well-established companies.”

In April, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced $23 million in funding for VIDO-InterVac to accelerate a COVID-19 vaccine, and the Saskatchewan government invested another $4 million. This funding supports pre-clinical testing and clinical trials, essential steps to ensuring that vaccines are effective and safe for human use. Human trials will occur in the fall.