Veterinary Biologics Training Program

May 19-23, 2025 Ames Iowa

Registration is closed. (will open in 2025)

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.

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 1996-2023. Over 3450 individuals have attended the program, including 930 international attendees from 97 countries.

Agenda

Day 1	Intro to the Center for Veterinary Biologics CVB Website Overview Quality Manufacturing Standards for Veterinary Biologics Intro to CVB Policy, Evaluation, and Licensing Licensing Requirements in the United States Outlines of Production Master Seed/Master Cells/Back Passage Efficacy Requirements & Interference Studies
Day 2	Statistical Considerations for Vaccine Trials Safety Requirements Serial Release Testing Potency Tests Potency Specifications & Product Dating Jurisdiction: Permits and Products Risk Management Poultry Specific Licensing Platform and Prescription Platform Biologics US Vaccine Label Regulations Outlines of Production and Labels Workshop
Day 3	Immunomudulator Products Aquaculture Biologics Cancer Products Licensing of Veterinary Diagnostic Test Kits FDA-EREA Regulations and CVB IABS Membership Officer Overview of the CVB Laboratory General Question Answer Session
Day 4	CVB Inspection Program Compliance Activities Inspection Categories Inspection Workshop Product Inspection and Serial Release APHIS Form 2008 Workshop Sample Submission and Retention Export Certification and Workshop
Day 5	CVB Panel Discussion Record Keeping, Documentation and Process Deviations Quality Assurance, Quality Management Root Cause Analysis Workshop Regulatory Flexibility and Firm Requests Autogenous Biologics Pharmacovigilance

Printable Agenda (2024)

Registration is closed

VBTP 2025 Registration Options

Participants can register for the entire 5 day program, the first 3 days (mostly Policy, Evaluation, and Licensing) or the last 2 days (mostly Inspection and Compliance) for a discounted price. Registration to any individual days is available.

Pricing

Option	Industry	Government / Academic
Full Program: 5 days	$2,450 USD	$1,838 USD
First 3 Days	$1,743 USD	$1,307 USD
Days 4 and 5	$1,260 USD	$945 USD
Any single day	$700 USD	$525 USD

$250 late fee for registration after April 26, 2025

Training Details: May 19-23, 2025 Ames IA (2025 updates available in January)

Gateway Hotel, Ames IA (room block not yet available)

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

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

You must arrange your own housing at the Gateway Hotel before (to be determined). If your flight departs before 11 a.m. on Saturday, you must reserve a room Friday night at a hotel near the airport that provides a shuttle – not all Des Moines hotels have airport shuttles.

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 routes. 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).

Conference location: Gateway Hotel, Ames IA . A block of rooms will be available in early 2025 .

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.

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.

CVB
More information about the USDA Center for Veterinary Biologics

IICAB Immunology Courses
The IICAB offers three courses related to veterinary immunology and vaccinology. The courses range from a five-hour introduction to a more in-depth study of veterinary immunology and vaccinology. This material was part of the VBTP for 15 years and can be helpful for researchers or industry personnel hoping to better understand veterinary vaccinology.
More information