The largest division is the Clinical Research Division. At any given time there are usually 30 to 40 industry sponsored or investigator initiated clinical trials being conducted in a wide variety of therapeutic areas, from behavioral health to oncology, from infectious diseases to rheumatology. A major focus within this division is industry-sponsored clinical drug trials, which are either in Phase 2, 3 or 4 of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval process.
The newest addition to the Avera Research Institute, the Avera Institute for Human Behavioral Genetics (IHBG), is the first clinical genetic research laboratory of its kind in the state of South Dakota. This type of research has come about only in recent years since the mapping of the human genome in 2000. Avera IHBG research will seek to create a more complete understanding of an individual's genetic profile, interaction with environment and resulting mental health. Ultimately, this research could lead to a better understanding of major behavioral health conditions, personalized treatment and more effective preventative strategies.
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Hematech, Inc.
Hematech, Inc was founded in 1998, with corporate headquarters in Sioux Falls, SD. Hematech is a subsidiary of Kirin Pharma Company, Ltd. of Tokyo, Japan. In 2002, Hematech and Kirin consolidated their transgenic bovine research programs in facilities in Sioux Falls, SD. Currently, Hematech occupies nearly 20,000 sq. ft. of laboratory space in the Sioux Falls Technology Park.
In 2003, Hematech formed a joint venture with Trans Ova Genetics. Trans Ova is one of the world's largest bovine embryo transfer companies and has extensive experience in managing cloned and genetically modified cattle. The Hematech/Trans Ova Joint Venture was formed to manage all of Hematech's animal needs, including animal work at Hematech's Research and Development Center in Sioux Center, IA.
Currently, Hematech has four research and development programs: Molecular Genetics, Embryonic Cloning, Immunology and Purification Process Development. In addition, Hematech has Analytical and Quality Systems programs. Hematech's research programs are best known for their successes in producing the first transchromosomic and gene targeted cattle.
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Monsanto Co.
In the spring of 2007, Monsanto Co. built a 17,500-square-foot, $2 million building in Harrisburg, South Dakota to complement its current research facility in the Harrisburg Industrial Park. The company works in cooperation with soybean farmers across the state to breed several varieties of soybeans with higher yields.
Monsanto Co. is a large St. Louis based agricultural company with operations worldwide. They specialize in maximizing the production of seed for farmers – both in terms of yield and the technologies that are used to protect their crops. They currently produce seed brands of large-acre crops such as corn, cotton, soybeans, and canola, as well as some small-acre crops such as vegetables. The new facility in Harrisburg is a soybean breeding area while the previously existing facility is used for corn research.
Monsanto hopes to improve yields for farmers by reducing the amount of disease and devastating insects such as aphids that have hindered growers for years. Another goal of the Harrisburg facility is to produce crops with the Vistive variety which has linolenic acid to reduce the amount of trans fat in processed soybeans.
In the future, Monsanto will probably also research drought-tolerant soybeans in South Dakota which may result in a partnership with the state’s 2010 Research Center of Excellence for Drought Tolerance Biotechnology.
South Dakota is especially attractive to Monsanto for further expansion in the future considering the state’s acceptance of genetically modified crops. About 95 percent of soybeans produced in South Dakota in 2005 were genetically modified according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
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Sanford Health
An integrated healthcare system, Sanford Health is aggressively expanding its decade-long commitment to health research. Following its receipt of the largest gift in healthcare history, the organization’s presence as a world-class provider of healthcare services will provide increasing opportunities in health research. Sanford Health’s merger with Merit Care based in Fargo, North Dakota in 2009 creates one of the largest health care systems in the nation serving more than 2 million residents in a five state region. These capabilities will provide partner companies with the type of clinical population infrastructure necessary to advance medical innovation.
This rapid growth is exemplified by the on-going recruitment of world-class research teams in a variety of areas.
2007- Sanford Health welcomed Eugene Hoyme, MD, a lead researcher in fetal alcohol syndrome
2008- John Lee, MD began studies related to head and neck cancers
2009- Sanford Project
- Director – Paul Burn, PhD
- Associate Director – Alex Rabinovitch, MD
- Associate Scientist – Alexi Savinov, MD, PhD
- Associate Scientist – Da-Qing Yang, PhD
- Six additional scientists being recruited
Sanford Children’s Health Research Center
- Director – David Pearce, PhD
- Three scientists
Biostatistics Center Director
- Paul Thompson, PhD
We welcome the world’s leading health scientists to Sanford Health and Sanford Research/USD. Please contact Vice President of Research Ben Perryman, PhD via perrymab@sanfordhealth.org for more information.
