U of S receives $23 million for COVID-19 vaccine research

The University of Saskatchewan received a funding boost Monday in the ongoing effort to find a vaccine for COVID-19.

The federal government announced $23.3 million for the university’s Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization — International Vaccine Centre (VIDO-InterVac).

“This new federal funding recognizes that VIDO-InterVac is at the forefront of global efforts to develop a vaccine for COVID-19 and other infectious disease threats,” USask vice-president of research Karen Chad said in a release.

“This is critical work at VIDO-InterVac that will help protect the health and safety of all Canadians, as well as people around the world.”

More than half of the funding — $12 million — will go toward the construction of a new lab to increase Canada’s manufacturing capacity of new vaccines. The rest are operational funds.

VIDO-InterVac is the first lab in the country to have a vaccine candidate in animal testing.

The vaccine was made in February, and researchers expect to know in about four weeks whether the vaccine was effective. Clinical testing on humans could start in the fall.

The funding is part of the federal government’s $275-million fund for COVID-19 health research.