Please join us on May 19, 2021 for the next webinar available to CABS-ACSB Members

as part of our webinar series!

The topic is Rapid response to SARS-CoV-2: Experience Eases the Transition, the story of how our MERS-CoV research allowed a near seamless pivot to SARS-CoV-2 presented by Dr. Darryl Falzarano, Research Scientist at VIDO (Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization), University of Saskatchewan.

The webinar will be held on May 19, 2021 at 12:00 CDT.

SARS-CoV-2 was first detected in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. Since then, SARS-CoV-2, has caused a worldwide pandemic with nearly 150 million cases resulting in over 3 million deaths. Immediately following the release of the first sequences of the virus we began to design a vaccine strategy and began to prepare to be able to work

with this virus in our containment level 3 facility. Given our previous work on MERS-CoV, a related coronavirus first identified in 2012, we were able to rapidly receive approval to handle SARS-CoV-2 (at the time, still called 2019-nCoV). This rapid approval allowed us to receive a sample from the first known Canadian SARS-CoV-2 case, whereby we were able to isolate the virus and to establish animal models, including ferrets and hamsters. Subsequently we have used both in vitro systems in addition to these animal models to assess vaccines, including our own COVAC-1 and COVAV-2 (currently in clinical trials), antivirals and antibodies. Our previous experience,

including the combination of lab, clinical research and animal care, and biosafety expertise, allowed a streamlined approach to approval that facilitated as rapid response to this new emerging pathogen.

Darryl Falzarano is a Research Scientist at VIDO at the University of Saskatchewan. His lab is focused on developing animal models and vaccines for coronaviruses. Previously, they developed an alpaca model to assess multiple vaccine candidates for MERS-CoV that are targeted for use in dromedary camels. Currently, his lab is focused

on developing and improving animal models for SARS-CoV-2, including hamsters, ferrets and NHPs, to assess vaccines, antivirals and immunotherapeutics. COVAC-2, an adjuvanted SARS-CoV-2 subunit vaccine, is currently in phase I clinical trials. VIDO develops vaccines for both humans and agricultural animals and is home to the International Vaccine Centre – the largest containment level 3 facility in Canada.

Registration is limited so we encourage you to RSVP soon! 

To register, please email us at cabsacsb@gmail.com to confirm your attendance and a Zoom link and meeting

invitation will be provided to you. Looking forward to hearing from you!