The Sabin Vaccine Institute is partnering with King Saud University (KSU) in Riyadh, to advance vaccine research and development capacity in the MENA.
As part of the new $6.6 million dollar agreement, Saudi scientists will receive technical training in vaccine development at the Sabin Vaccine Institute Product Development Partnership (Sabin PDP) laboratories in Houston, Texas.
The five-year pilot project will focus on training activities that could lead to vaccine development for major and emerging neglected diseases and parasitic infections, including leishmaniasis and MERS coronavirus.
In collaboration with the Prince Naif Bin Abdulaziz Health Research Center at KSU and Baylor College of Medicine, the goal of the project is to equip university with well-trained scientists.
“There is a need to create regional capacity for developing vaccines that target major neglected and infectious diseases in the region, such as MERS coronavirus infection and leishmaniasis, among others,” said Dr. Peter Hotez, president of Sabin, director of the Sabin PDP, Texas Children’s Hospital Endowed Chair in Tropical Pediatrics and dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine.
Dr. Maria Elena Bottazzi, who also heads Sabin PDP activities, will take on a leadership role in project operations.
“The partnership with Sabin is a significant step in building Saudi Arabia’s vaccine R&D infrastructure,” said KSU Rector Professor Badran Al-Omar.
“Building biotechnology capacity for vaccines that specifically target diseases in the region will not only distinguish Saudi Arabia as a regional leader but contribute to the safety and security of the region,” said US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Joseph Westphal.
“This is precisely the outcome we look for from the US Science Envoy Program: Engaging a broad community, identifying opportunities for sustained international cooperation in science and technology,” said Catherine Novelli, undersecretary of state for economic growth, energy, and the environment.
As part of the new $6.6 million dollar agreement, Saudi scientists will receive technical training in vaccine development at the Sabin Vaccine Institute Product Development Partnership (Sabin PDP) laboratories in Houston, Texas.
The five-year pilot project will focus on training activities that could lead to vaccine development for major and emerging neglected diseases and parasitic infections, including leishmaniasis and MERS coronavirus.
In collaboration with the Prince Naif Bin Abdulaziz Health Research Center at KSU and Baylor College of Medicine, the goal of the project is to equip university with well-trained scientists.
“There is a need to create regional capacity for developing vaccines that target major neglected and infectious diseases in the region, such as MERS coronavirus infection and leishmaniasis, among others,” said Dr. Peter Hotez, president of Sabin, director of the Sabin PDP, Texas Children’s Hospital Endowed Chair in Tropical Pediatrics and dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine.
Dr. Maria Elena Bottazzi, who also heads Sabin PDP activities, will take on a leadership role in project operations.
“The partnership with Sabin is a significant step in building Saudi Arabia’s vaccine R&D infrastructure,” said KSU Rector Professor Badran Al-Omar.
“Building biotechnology capacity for vaccines that specifically target diseases in the region will not only distinguish Saudi Arabia as a regional leader but contribute to the safety and security of the region,” said US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Joseph Westphal.
“This is precisely the outcome we look for from the US Science Envoy Program: Engaging a broad community, identifying opportunities for sustained international cooperation in science and technology,” said Catherine Novelli, undersecretary of state for economic growth, energy, and the environment.
