Feb. 6, 2023

This paid piece is sponsored by South Dakota Biotech.

Mel Ustad has built a career around supporting innovation.

From leading commercialization in South Dakota state government to multiple university research and economic development roles, he’s now principal investigator of South Dakota EPSCoR – the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research – and sees bioscience at the ground level. And from his perspective, South Dakota has become a significant player in the industry, with the potential to do even more.

Ustad recently became chair of South Dakota Biotech, the state affiliate of the international BIO organization, which further allows him to help drive the industry forward.

We caught up with him for an inside look at biotech today and tomorrow.

Looking back on 2022, what stood out for you about activity in the biotech industry? What stood out as key achievements or milestones?

For South Dakota Biotech as an association, the Biotech Summit last October celebrated 15 years of supporting South Dakota’s biotech industry. For our industry more broadly in 2022, South Dakota had several major exciting biotech events transpire.

Some of these include the Gevo announcement and project near Lake Preston to develop an integrated, environmentally responsive approach to producing jet fuel, the USDA project to study and develop buffalo herds in western South Dakota and a public-private collaboration to develop a bioprocessing research and scale-up facility in Brookings. These and other biotech projects will positively impact rural communities in South Dakota while addressing national and global issues.

What kind of momentum do you feel like this industry has coming into the new year? What are you most energized about that’s occurring in the state?

South Dakota is taking leadership roles in some major national and global biotech initiatives. Several of these initiatives are just starting and very exciting. These include new phase 3 clinical trials, major energy and environmental projects.

How would you describe the South Dakota Biotech board’s priorities for 2023?

The South Dakota Biotech board priorities are to identify and develop additional programs and activities to support our members, the entire biotech industry and South Dakota.

Watch for upcoming BIO breakfasts and other events that will allow you to get to know this industry and the people making things happen in it.

What are some of the steps you feel the state and this industry need to take to further position itself as an emerging national player?

South Dakota and the biotech industry need to continue to talk about their capabilities and accomplishments. We are national and global leaders in several areas, but we don’t talk enough about that.

For those who still aren’t familiar with South Dakota Biotech, what would you like them to know about this organization? How do you anticipate it continuing to evolve?

Biotech impacts and supports South Dakota’s major industries. The South Dakota Biotech organization supports production agriculture, processing of agricultural commodities, health care, medical and environmental research. South Dakota Biotech partners with the South Dakota Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Governor’s Office of Economic Development to support entrepreneurship through the Giant Vision business plan competition and the FAST Launch program supported by the Small Business Administration. The association will continue to expand efforts to support entrepreneurship and the growth of South Dakota businesses.

Biotech Breakfast

The first Biotech Breakfast of 2023 will focus on workforce, offering three perspectives on ways to recruit talent. Featured speaker Bill McGuckin, owner and managing partner of Oxenham Group, will offer insight from 7:45 to 9 a.m. at Minnehaha Country Club. Virtual participation also is an option. Click here to learn more and register.

To learn more about South Dakota Biotech and to connect to this growing industry, visit sdbio.org or email executive director Joni Ekstrum at [email protected]

As biotech leader marks decade, industry makes big plans for future