Veterinary Biologics Training Program

May 19-23, 2025 Ames Iowa

Registration is now open!

The Veterinary Biologics Training Program (VBTP) provides an overview of the USDA regulatory process for assuring the purity, safety, potency, and efficacy of veterinary biologics (vaccines, bacterins, antisera, diagnostic kits, and other products of biological origin). Representatives from the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s (APHIS) Center for Veterinary Biologics (CVB) present 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 covered in both lectures and workshops. Throughout the meeting, there are multiple opportunities to ask questions and meet individually with USDA CVB staff.

Professionals working in the veterinary biologics industry, researchers developing biologics, and regulatory personnel are encouraged to attend and learn about current CVB requirements. This course is a highly regarded overview of the current regulatory guidelines in the U.S. The Program is organized by the Institute for International Cooperation in Animal Biologics (IICAB) and is co-sponsored by the USDA APHIS CVB and the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

The Program has been offered annually from 1996-2024. Over 3450 individuals have attended the program, including 930 international attendees from 97 countries.

Agenda 2025

Day 1	Approximately 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Introduction to the Center for Veterinary Biologics Introduction to the CVB-Policy, Evaluation, and, Licensing Introduction to the CVB-Inspection & Compliance CVB Website Overview Quality Manufacturing Standards for Veterinary Biologics General Licensing Requirements in the United States Jurisdiction: Permits and Products Outlines of Production US Vaccine Label Regulations Evening Dinner and Social at Reiman Gardens
Day 2	Approximately 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM Efficacy Requirements & Interference Studies Statistical Considerations for Efficacy Studies Master Seed/Master Cells Safety Requirements Pharmacovigilance Serial Release Testing Potency Test Validation Potency Specifications & Product Dating Product Inspection and Serial Release Sample Submission and Retention Market Authorization Workshop
Day 3	Approximately 8:30 AM- 5:30 PM Overview of the CVB Laboratory Monoclonal antibody products and other immunotherapies Poultry Specific Licensing Issues Platform and Prescription Platform Biologics Aquaculture Biologics Licensing of Veterinary Diagnostic Test Kits Open discussion / Q&A session
Day 4	Approximately 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM Risk Management Autogenous Biologics FDA-EREA Regulations and CVB CVB Inspection Program Inspection Categories Inspection Workshop Compliance Activities Export Certification and Workshop Evening Dinner and Social at ISU Alumni Center
Day 5	Approximately 8:30 AM - 1:30 PM Quality Assurance, Quality Management Record Keeping Requests Post-Licensure Process Deviations and Root Causes Lunch and CVB Panel Discussion

VBTP 2025 Registration Options

Participants can register for the entire 5 day program for a discounted price. Registration for individual days is also available.

Pricing

$250 late fee for registration after April 26, 2025

Group	Full Program: 5 days	Single Day(s)
Industry	$2,450 USD	$700 USD
Government / Academic	$1,838 USD	$525 USD

Training Details: May 19-23, 2025 Ames IA

Gateway Hotel, 2100 Green Hills Drive, Ames IA . There is a block of rooms for the meeting being held until April 25. You may reserve a room at the Gateway Hotel through this link (subject to availability).

Recommended Airport: Des Moines International Airport (DSM) is 40 miles (65 km) from the meeting.

Rental Cars are available at the Des Moines Airport.

Shuttle service: New this year! The university is offering shuttle service to and from the airport (for a fee). Please contact Transportation Services – Shuttle Services with the dates and times you would need a ride and they will take your payment separately from this meeting registration. Please let them know that you are here for the IICAB/VBTP meeting.

Transportation Services – Shuttle Services
Iowa State University
shuttleservices@iastate.edu
(+1) 515-294-1824
(+1) 515-290-0483 (WhatsApp)

The fee is $135 each direction. If you are willing to share a ride, please let Transportation Services know, and depending on your flight info, they will try to group people together so that the cost is less. They have to have at least (3) people share a ride to offer the group rate.

Please book your shuttle at least 4 days prior to needing the shuttle. Otherwise, you must find your own transportation.

Note: Free shuttles will be offered to and from the Gateway Hotel in Ames to the (2) evening dinner events.

Breakfast, lunch, breaks, and 2 dinners (Mon and Thur) are included.

You can request an invitation letter for your visa application with this form .
Weather averages: Temperature high/low: 70/50 F (21/10 C). Rains more than half of the days in May. Actual high/low temperatures can vary up to 15F/ 8C from the average.
Smoking: Not allowed in most places (hotel rooms, meeting rooms, meeting building) Only allowed in limited outdoor locations.
Shopping/Dining/Transporation: Ames is a typical Iowa town that is very spread out. Restaurants and shopping are 3-8 mi (5-13km) from the meeting hotel. There is a public bus system, but it has limited service. You may want to plan on renting a car at the Des Moines airport or using Uber or Lyft while in Ames. Food delivery is also an option, we will provide a list of contacts when you arrive.
The hotel rooms have telephones that allow free local phone calls (e.g. for food delivery).

The program was previously approved by the Registry of Approved Continuing Education for in-person attendance by veterinarians or veterinary technicians. We plan to apply for approval for the 2025 course (approximately 32 hours for the entire week)

Policies consistent with CDC, State of Iowa, Iowa State University, and City of Ames applicable recommendations.

Discover Ames

Presentations will be in English, we will provide access to the presenters’ slides.

New this year!

An additional space on Monday, May 19, is being provided for any organizations who would like to show how they can promote collaboration with VBTP meeting attendees. Space is limited. A table, electricity, and meals are provided and we will try to accommodate additional requests based on availability of materials.

Please email the following information to cjgerke@iastate.edu to secure space:

Company name
Contact person
Description of what type of collaborative service you plan to provide

CVB

More information about the USDA Center for Veterinary Biologics