South Dakota Biotech executive director Joni Ekstrum recently led a delegation of representatives to Washington, D.C., to advocate for the industry amid federal changes that could impact critical research funding. The lack of resources in South Dakota makes federal funding particularly crucial for biotech companies in the state. The conversation around tariffs has also caused uncertainty for companies with fixed pricing on their products.
At a state level, South Dakota is working on positioning itself to build the biotech industry for the future. The USD Discovery District recently opened its first building, with OmegaQuant being one of the first tenants. The state is also developing the South Dakota 2030 Science and Technology Plan to invest in research and commercialization activity.
South Dakota ranks last in the nation for academic research and development expenditures, highlighting the need for more incentives and funding to support the growth of the biotech industry. South Dakota State University is aiming to become an R1 research institution to further drive industry growth in the state.
In order to make South Dakota a more attractive place for biotech companies, infrastructure and regulatory requirements must be addressed. Access to developable land, energy, transportation, and water are critical factors in attracting and sustaining biotech businesses in the state.
The push for federal funding, support for research, and strategic planning at a state level are all part of South Dakota’s efforts to build a thriving biotech industry that can drive economic growth and innovation in the state.
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