Canada and China will Team up to Fight Existing and Emerging Diseases

October 11, 2012 — Ottawa, Ontario

NRC to partner in joint research with China’s largest vaccine manufacturer

The National Research Council of Canada and China National Biotec Group —China’s largest manufacturer of vaccines— will combat existing and emerging diseases and pandemic threats that are increasingly prevalent. Researchers from both countries will collaborate to develop innovations related to human vaccines.

“Countries around the world are fighting diseases such as influenza and hospital-acquired infections. Vaccines can save millions of lives and protect populations,” said Dr. Roman Szumski, Vice-President of Life Sciences at the National Research Council of Canada. “This international collaboration aims to reduce cost of production and accelerate development of vaccines, which may contribute to lowering the cost of public health worldwide.”

The Government of Canada supports research that improves lives of Canadians and encourages entrepreneurs to develop and introduce new products to the marketplace. Through this collaboration, Canadian biotech companies will be in a better position to forge partnerships with Chinese counterparts for vaccine research and development.

This cooperation will include working on glycoconjugate vaccines, new vaccine adjuvant and mucosal immunology studies, bioprocessing and vaccine manufacturing, and other areas of mutual interest. The memorandum of understanding signed today in Ottawa reflects previous commitments to science, technology, and innovation, made by both countries in 2007 and 2011.

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