Non-communicable disease Non-communicable disease A non-communicable disease (NCD) is a disease that is not transmissible directly from one person to another. NCDs include Parkinson's disease, autoimmune diseases, strokes, most heart diseases, most cancers, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease, cataracts, and others. NCDs may be chronic or acute. Most are non-infectious, although there are some non-communicable infectious diseases, such as parasitic diseases in which the parasite's life cycle does not include direct host-to-host transmission. NCDs are the leading cause of death globally. In 2012, they caused 68% of all deaths (38 million) up from 60% in 2000. About half were
Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization has created three spin-off companies (Biostar, Biowest, and Star Biotech) and has worked with multiple major industry and start-up companies. Originally named the Veterinary Infectious Disease Organization, VIDO was established with funding from the Devonian Group of Charitable Foundations, the Province of Alberta and the Province of Saskatchewan. VIDO had strong ties to the University of Saskatchewan’s Western College of Veterinary Medicine. In March 2003, VIDO’s name was changed to the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization. In October 2003 a expansion was completed. In March 2004, VIDO received funding for the construction one of the world's largest and most advanced