U of S VIDO-InterVac attains ISO 9001:2008 Certification

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 7, 2013 SASKATOON - The University of Saskatchewan's Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization-International Vaccine Centre (VIDO-InterVac) has received ISO 9001:2008 certification for its management system, a move aimed at enhancing its competitiveness in vaccine research and development on the world stage.

"We pursued this certification to demonstrate that quality remains a consistent part of all aspects of our operations as we grow," said Director and CEO Andrew Potter. "It will also aid in making VIDO-InterVac operations more efficient."
An ISO 9001:2008 certification is issued by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Getting certified is a significant process, Potter said, demanding that an organization demonstrate both the quality of its processes and procedures, and a quantifiable means of demonstrating organizational effectiveness and continuous improvement.
Partial funding for the certification process was provided by Western Economic Diversification Canada and the Saskatchewan government through the Western Economic Partnership Agreement.
"Our government's investments in VIDO-InterVac's formation and development demonstrate our ongoing commitment to health research," said the Honourable Michelle Rempel, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification. "Advancements in vaccine development create highly skilled jobs as well as the commercialization of research results which improve Canada's overall competitiveness in the global economy."
"VIDO-InterVac has continued to be a leader in growing Saskatchewan's innovation sector by producing commercially viable products," said Saskatchewan Economy Minister Bill Boyd. "This ISO 9001:2008 certification will make us a destination of choice for research partnerships with European companies that seek certified facilities to complete vaccine research and development studies."
VIDO-InterVac works with researchers from universities, government institutions and private industry to develop vaccines and related technologies. InterVac, completed at a cost of approximately $144 million, is one of the largest and most advanced containment level 3 vaccine research centres in the world.
"Achieving ISO 9001:2008 is an important milestone for VIDO-InterVac," said John LaClare, chair of the VIDO-InterVac Board of Directors. "It will help us manage our next stage of growth as InterVac reaches full capacity."
"ISO certification is an important step for VIDO-InterVac in enhancing our credentials among the world's vaccine research and development community," said U of S Vice-President Research, Karen Chad. "We anticipate it will improve our competitiveness and help attract more users to our facilities, from leading research institutions and companies in North America, Europe and around the globe."
About VIDO-InterVac
Created in 1975, VIDO-InterVac is a research organization of the University of Saskatchewan with operating support from provincial and federal governments, industry and charitable foundations. VIDO-InterVac has developed eight commercial vaccines since its creation. With some of the world's most advanced containment level two and three facilities, including a 160-acre research station, VIDO-InterVac works to protect animal and human health against some of the world's most dangerous infectious diseases. For more information, see http://www.vido.org/ or call 306-966-7465.
For more information, contact:
VIDO-InterVac
Paul Hodgson
Associate Director (Business Development)
306- 966-1523
mailto:paul.hodgson@usask.ca
Emily Goucher
Office of the Minister of State
Western Economic Diversification
613-954-8097
mailto:emily.goucher@wd.gc.ca
Jennifer Thoma
Media Relations
University of Saskatchewan
306-966-1851
mailto:jennifer.thoma@usask.ca
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