March 23, 2022

This paid piece is sponsored by South Dakota Biotech.

Think about what the world was like 100 years ago.

How would you have gotten to school or to work? How did people secure food, and what did they eat? What was the world like in health care?

“It’s a big span of time, but it wasn’t that long ago,” said Joni Ekstrum, executive director of South Dakota Biotech. “And think of all the change that’s occurred in that time. And then remember that change typically accelerates through time.”

Looking toward the future is part of Ekstrum’s role as the leader of South Dakota Biotech, the state affiliate of the international BIO organization

And it frames up how she’s seeing the industry approach a post-COVID world.

“We focus on feeding, fueling and healing the world, and in this moment it is critical to be innovating on all three fronts,” she said. “Look at the threats we’re experiencing today: disease, security, supply chain, climate, energy, energy independence, the food supply, animal health. Conceptually, this industry is positioned to address all of these, and South Dakota has tremendous opportunities to be a leader.”

We caught up with Ekstrum – who recently was nominated for an EmBe Tribute to Women award in the category of Healthcare & STEM – about where the industry is headed.

What are you hearing from biotech companies today? What kind of momentum for growth is there?

I think there’s a lot of opportunity, and they’re learning how to pivot. That word is probably overused, but we are seeing companies learning to navigate, especially through supply chain challenges. I think what emerged, as people began to learn to live with COVID, is that you began to hear more about sustainability, climate, carbon footprint, energy dependence, carbon intensity. Those are the themes I’m hearing. 

SAB Biotherapeutics emerged during the pandemic with its SAB-185 therapeutic for COVID-19 and subsequently went public. How much potential do you see for the company to continue to grow in South Dakota?

COVID-19 was a huge win as far as showing what this technology can do. It showed the scientific community what SAB is all about and how truly unique in the world its platform is. This is far from a one-and-done for SAB. They’re continuing to be very strategic, and I still see them as an extremely favorable company. They have said they will continue to grow and invest on all fronts in South Dakota, and they’ve been able to attract and retain outstanding talent here. That’s a win not just for this company but our entire industry.

Can you give us a sense of what might be next for the biotech industry? Are there specific ways you see it growing, especially in South Dakota?

I think it’s the blend of research and technology. Cybersecurity plays a large role in that. You might not immediately connect cyber with biotech, but they have to work hand in hand. It’s artificial intelligence, it’s the security of connected devices. We can’t have a medical device, for instance, without cybersecurity. And I think it’s never been more evident the opportunities that exist between Sioux Falls, Madison, Dakota State University and the spinoff businesses created by the investment in education, research and development here. That’s going to support the growth of the biotech industry as our partners in energy, human and animal health and next-generation agriculture are looking to align with this sort of cybersecurity. 

What’s next for South Dakota Biotech? How can others connect to this industry?

We are here to support the industry in multiple ways: advocacy, education, networking, economic development and marketing support. One easy way to connect with us is through our Bio Breakfast series. You can click here to learn more about that. And then watch for our annual summit later this fall, when we’ll build on the theme of looking toward the future and focus on how we can best position our state and the companies we serve for success.

To connect with Ekstrum, email her at [email protected] or visit sdbio.org.