The largest public funder of biomedical research in the world has awarded a major new research contract to the University of Saskatchewan’s Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization. The contract is from the United Sates’ National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, which is part of the National Institutes of Health.

A news release from VIDO says under this contract, they will be helping organizations bring new therapeutics, vaccines and diagnostics to market by testing them for their effectiveness against infectious diseases of high concern. The seven-year agreement provides up to $146-million U.S. for VIDO.

Director and CEO of VIDO, Dr. Volke Gerdts, says, “For almost half a century, VIDO has supported the development of new vaccines and therapeutics for infectious diseases. This award further demonstrates the impact VIDO has on the world and helps to ensure we are prepared for the next pandemic”