Statens Serum Institut (English: the State Serum Institute), or SSI for short, is a Danish sector research institute located on the island of Amager in Copenhagen. Its purpose is to combat and prevent infectious diseases, congenital disorders, and threats from weapon of mass destruction[1]. Founded in 1902 in the barracks of the Artillerivej road, it has now expanded to much more than its original size.
Administratively, the State Serum Institute sorts under the Danish Ministry of Health and Prevention under minister Jakob Axel Nielsen. The president and CEO of the institute has since 1998 been Niels Strandberg Pedersen. Apart from research into epidemiology and disease prevention, the institute also develops and produces vaccines, and is an integral part of the Danish ABC-preparedness operation.
Apart from work in Denmark, Statens Serum Institut is also involved in health promotion and monitoring in the West African country of Guinea-Bissau, as maintained by the Bandim Health Project.
Mainly doctors, pharmaconomists (expert in pharmaceuticals) and pharmacists work at the National Serum Institute.