The Veterinary Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) was established in 1974. Since its inception the Saskatoon based organization has aimed at finding cures for common infectious diseases in cattle, swine, and poultry. In the 1980s, VIDO scientists gained an international reputation for their pioneering work on vaccines aimed at combatting shipping fever and a disease which produces pneumonia and arthritis in cattle. In 1983 VIDO and the University of Saskatchewan collaborated to create BIOSTAR Inc. to commercialize the developments of VIDO. In 1989 a subsidiary, BIOWEST, was created to manufacture products developed by VIDO. The following have served as director of the Organization: C.H. Bigland (1974-1984); S.D. Acre (1984-1992); L.A. Babiuk (1991- ).