The Institute for International Cooperation in Animal Biologics (IICAB) has opened registration for the Veterinary Biologics Training Program, which will be held May 14-18 in Ames, Iowa.

This program provides an overview of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's regulatory process for assuring the purity, safety, potency and efficacy of veterinary biologics (vaccines, bacterins, antisera, diagnostic kits and other products of biological origin).

During the weeklong program, staff from the Center for Veterinary Biologics (CVB) at USDA's Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service provide information on the requirements and processes for licensing/registration and testing of veterinary biological products. The inspection and compliance process for production, release and post-marketing surveillance of veterinary biological products is also covered in both lectures and workshops, IICAB said.

Participants can register on a daily basis or for the entire week. Registration is due by April 15. If space is available, late applications will be accepted. Visit the web site http://www.cfsph.iastate.edu/IICAB/meetings/may2018.php for detailed information, including the daily itinerary, registration deadlines and fees, meals, transportation and lodging.

Professionals working in the veterinary biologic industry, researchers developing biologics and regulatory personnel are encouraged to attend to learn about current CVB requirements. This course is regarded as an excellent overview of CVB regulatory guidelines.

More than 2,700 individuals have attended the program since it was launched in 1996, including 750 individuals from 90-plus countries.

The program is organized by IICAB and is co-sponsored by CVB and the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Individuals interested in an introduction or refresher in the ever-changing field of immunology are encouraged to take the online course prior to attending the Veterinary Biologics Training Program. Additional information and registration are available at www.vetimmunology.org or www.cfsph.iastate.edu/Immunology.