Other views: Vaccines could be boon to Fargo area

Fargo-Moorhead’s vaccine industry is in the embryo stage, but the future holds immense promise.

Early tentative steps are becoming more sure-footed. Home-grown talent and entrepreneurs are focusing their considerable expertise on a sector that has the potential to make Fargo-Moorhead a global destination in vaccine research, development and manufacturing. It’s not pie-in-the-sky hope, but rather a clear-eyed, realistic effort. Some of the pieces are in place. Much more needs to be accomplished.

At this point, the region’s focus on vaccines is becoming known around the nation, according to local experts in the field. The developing partnerships among universities and the private sector already have brought a world-class biotechnologist to town, who leads North Dakota State University’s new Center for Biopharmaceutical Research and Production. The university research component of the vaccine effort is vital to its long-term success.

The area’s two-year colleges have partnered to offer a biotech degree, which can be enhanced into a four-year degree. The partnership between Minnesota State Community and Technical College and the North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton is a perfect fit for the needs of a new and growing vaccine industry. The Center for Nanoscience Technology Training in north Fargo also is an integral component of the new effort.

Meanwhile, NDSU is working with Concordia College and Minnesota State University Moorhead to develop a vaccinology minor through the Tri-College University. First graduates could come out of the program as early as next spring.

Make no mistake about it. This is a big deal for science, technology and education in the region. The need for processes to speed and improve the development of vaccines for all sorts of applications has never been greater. Some of the research and methodologies being developed in Fargo (by home-grown Aldevron, for example) is the kind of work that could revolutionize vaccine production. Bringing together elements of private entrepreneurship, university research, top-flight personnel and appropriate government support is a formula for success.

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