Charlottetown, PEI (January 31, 2012)—The University of Prince Edward Island and its Atlantic Veterinary College have signed a licensing agreement to deliver a veterinary proficiency program for diagnostic laboratories around the world. UPEI/AVC is partnering with the Veterinary Laboratory Association (VLA) and Catachem Inc. to manage and promote the internationally recognized Veterinary Laboratory Association Quality Assurance Program (VLA QAP).
“The VLA QAP is a unique program designed to bring the more than 300 subscribing veterinary laboratories to a high standard of quality assurance,” said David Templeton, COO of Catachem Inc. “Three Oaks Innovations Inc., the commercialization arm of the University, under the direction of Sophie Theriault, who negotiated with Catachem and the VLA, has made the transition of the program to Catachem a straightforward and smooth process.”
“This initiative stems from an ACOA AIF project led by Dr. Anne Muckle, Dr. David Sims, and Mr. Dennis Olexson,” said Sophie Theriault, Managing Director of Three Oaks Innovations Inc. “The multi-collaboration with the VLA and with Catachem Inc. will allow the VLA QAP to expand and develop new quality assurance modules to meet client needs.”
“This is an exciting partnership between academia and the business world,” said Dr. Anne Muckle, Clinical Bacteriologist and Associate Professor at the AVC. “Catachem is an emerging biotech firm focused on veterinary diagnostics, the Veterinary Laboratory Association is a not-for-profit professional body representing veterinary diagnostic laboratories, and AVC Diagnostic Services supplies the academic and veterinary cases to develop a powerful quality assurance program. Working together, our different strengths are put to good use.”
The Veterinary Laboratory Association is a not-for-profit professional body for veterinary diagnostic laboratories. Its VLA QAP tests the proficiency of member laboratories and sets to standards recognized around the world, including the International Organization for Standards.
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For Information:
Sophie Theriault
Managing Director
Three Oaks Innovations
(902) 620-6095
stheriault@upei.ca