Cramer Spotlights North Dakota’s Growing Bioscience Industry at Fargo Summit

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FARGO, N.D. - U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) helped kick off the Fourth Annual Bioscience Summit being held in Fargo, setting the tone in the opening address to attendees with an upbeat message: "Big things are happening in medical discovery as well as preventative health right here in North Dakota."More than 150 entrepreneurs, scientists, and higher education and healthcare professionals gathered with community and economic development leaders at the Avalon Events Center for two days. Attendees will learn the latest trends, capital formation, workforce challenges, and opportunities.

Cramer highlighted North Dakota's emerging bioscience industry and the role its businesses and universities are playing in research and innovation.

"Big things are happening in medical discovery here in North Dakota, and this innovative ecosystem has always been here, from our Norwegian ancestors to today," said Cramer. "This has always been a place where people take an idea, put in hard work, apply intellectual rigor, and turn it into something that makes a difference. North Dakota, and especially the Fargo region, has what it takes-the talent, tools, and drive-to advance the bioscience sector and be part of the solution. I love how we don't need to ask, 'Why not in North Dakota?' because our people are already answering the question."

North Dakota-especially the Fargo region-is home to a growing bioscience industry, and includes companies such as Aldevron, CorVent Medical, Genovac, and Agathos Biologics. According to the Greater Fargo-Moorhead Economic Development Corporation, the region's bioscience sector generated approximately $89.6 million in earnings and $227.1 million in regional gross product in 2021.

North Dakota's research institutions are helping fuel the growth. North Dakota State University supports bioscience innovation through its biotechnology and microbiology programs, while the University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences conducts more than $40 million in research annually. These efforts help move discoveries from the laboratory toward commercialization, new businesses, and real-world applications.

Through legislation and letters requesting research funding and reduced barriers to medical innovation, Cramer has helped North Dakota's groundbreaking work in biomedical research and biotechnology advance. He has championed funding for the National Institutes of Health and National Cancer Institute, including research into Alzheimer's disease and cancer, while supporting FDA modernization to help innovative treatments reach patients.

Additionally, Cramer has backed efforts to strengthen domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing and supply chain resilience by encouraging domestic production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients and cosponsored legislation to assess the budgetary savings of preventative healthcare policies by extending Health Savings Account eligibility to cover certain preventative interventions including dietary supplements.