World-renowned researcher lured to Fargo

Efforts to put Fargo Moorhead on the vaccinology map received a huge boost recently with the strategic hiring of C. Satishchandran (Satish). The GFMEDC and local leaders assisted in attracting Satish who will lead North Dakota State University's Center for Biopharmaceutical Research and Production (CBRP).

The world-renowned researcher was lured from the large pharmaceutical company, Pfizer, where he served as chief technology officer of the Nucleic Acid-Based Therapeutics Unit of the Biotherapeutics Division. Satish has the knowledge and expertise to navigate the world of vaccines and the notoriety to attract other major players to the region.

"Vaccinology is a major component of the Cass Clay Economic Strategy, and Satish's knowledge and industry network will be invaluable in helping us implement our strategy," said Mary Batcheller, GFMEDC Director of Business Development, who works to attract businesses to the region.

The CBRP was seeded with a $2 million North Dakota Centers of Excellence grant. According to Satish, the CBRP will work to increase business activity in the region through the creation, advancement and attraction of biotechnology companies and through research and business collaborations with national and international biotechnology companies. The increased activity translates into more high-paying jobs region wide.

Satish's long-term goals include the development and licensure of concepts and products.   In the short term, Satish will assist companies with product development by helping them navigate the pathways from product concept, or initial idea, to clinical trials. Through consulting fees, contract and sponsored research, company investments into CBRP and through revenue participation with private sector partners, the CBRP hopes to be self-sustaining within a few years and possibly able to fund future research.

Part of Satish's strategy will be to identify and move products forward that are viable in the marketplace.

"We need something that investors want. We need to understand their needs," said Satish.

Along with his expertise, Satish has the ability to attract a very talented team of researchers who can move the CBRP's mission forward.

"Recruiting Satish has been a critical element and is the first step in building the critical mass necessary to become relevant to biotechnology companies around the U.S. and the world," said Batcheller.

And although Satish sees himself as a conduit between research and the marketplace, he is also an accomplished researcher. He has produced several patents in drug delivery and RNA interference. He is currently advancing a medical solution that could extend the viability of organs for transplant from hours to days.

The GFMEDC believes it is Satish's knowledge of research and his ability to navigate the pathways to market that will help the region tap into the multi-billion dollar industry of vaccines and biopharmaceuticals. As part of the Cass Clay Economic Strategy, the creation of the CBRP and the hiring of Satish have been important first steps toward the creation of a mass of industry, research and academic expertise in vaccines. That critical mass will move the region closer to the creation of a cluster of vaccine companies translating into a number of high-wage jobs.

Already the CBRP has established relationships with three North Dakota biotechnology companies and has established research relationships at NDSU and UND. In addition, the CBRP will work with area higher education institutions, including MSUM, Concordia and UND through participation in subcontracted research the CBRP undertakes.  

"Similarly undergraduate and graduate students will be able to participate in the ‘Scholars in Residence' program that I plan to initiate at the Center, and the researchers (faculty) at the universities will be able to take their entrepreneurial ideas forward," said Satish.