New business offers broad range of biotech support services

This piece is presented by South Dakota Biotech.

From clinical trial management to lab support and consulting, new business owner Penny Sattgast offers a broad range of services to the biotech industry.

Sattgast founded PCS Biotech Services earlier this year.

Penny Sattgast

She previously worked for Elanco Animal Health and served as a clinical trial study director and scientist.

Before that, in 2013, she earned a Master of Microbiology from South Dakota State University while working full-time for Novartis Animal Health.

She has 14 years of diverse clinical trial management, vaccine licensure and laboratory experience in the biologics industry.

We caught up with her to learn more about her growing business.

What prompted you to start your business?

I have always wanted to “try my hand” at entrepreneurship, and, after working in the biotech industry for 14 years, I was able to realize the many gaps and resource needs that companies can struggle with. Because of this, I was able to envision where services like mine could benefit the industry, and, therefore, it seemed like a natural progression for me to venture out and offer services that could support companies — from startups all the way to established corporate biotechs.

What kind of services do you offer?

PCS Biotech offers a large variety of professional biotechnology-focused services. Some highlights include but are not limited to clinical trial management, regulatory consulting, technical report writing, data management, laboratory and clinical field support, study design and monitoring, quality control systems consulting, and sales and marketing. These services can all be tailored to the size, scope and budget of each project.  The benefit here is that PCS can add value without adding full-time staff.

You’re based in Pierre but are you able to work with biotech clients anywhere?

Yes, I am! In the short time since March when I started PCS Biotech, I have already worked on projects with companies in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Florida and Idaho. PCS is flexible and mobile, depending upon what is required by the client.

What’s the response been like from clients so far?

The interest in my services has been extremely positive, as evidenced by requests for second and even third projects from existing clients. In addition, the flexibility and scope of my biotech services has been met with tremendous enthusiasm.

The recent South Dakota Biotech Association annual event Breakthrough drew dozens of industry leaders, including you. What were your impressions of where this industry is going in South Dakota?

It is absolutely an exciting time to be involved in the South Dakota biotech industry, and I am pleased to be a part of it. As a veteran in the industry, it is very satisfying to realize that South Dakota is truly more than just a “flyover state” but rather a state that is at the forefront of creating innovative technology and producing matching talent.

Where do you hope to see your business a year from now?

Although I have been very fortunate early on to have projects with several companies outside of the state, I am really working hard at finding opportunities to collaborate with more companies right here in my home state of South Dakota. The South Dakota Biotech Association is doing a fantastic job and has been an excellent venue for me while I work to grow my business.

If businesses would like to learn more, how can they reach you?

Our phone number is 605-215-3298. My email is [email protected] and our website is pcsbiotechservices.com.

 

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New business offers broad range of biotech support services

From clinical trial management to lab support and consulting, new business owner Penny Sattgast offers a broad range of services to the biotech industry.

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