R&D Critical for Marketable Products

BY RYAN AASHEIM

Research, technology and economic development are broad terms holding a variety of meanings for different people. Competition is fierce to commercialize the next big technology or product and quickly capture market share. Research and development (R&D) are critical activities for moving a technology beyond the proof of concept stage and into a marketable commercial product.

The U.S. has always relied heavily on the innovation of its entrepreneurs and scientists to compete in the world marketplace, and our nation’s universities and colleges play a key role in the economy as innovation-generating institutions. There is a proven and strong relationship between an economy’s ability to convert its science and technology assets into economic development and its standard of living. Consequently, states have begun investing more in R&D activities to supplement recent declines in federal investment, with the recognition that universities and colleges are playing a growing role as engines of innovation, productivity and economic vitality.

North Dakota is fortunate to be home to major research universities and higher education institutions that attract and develop talent and spur innovation. Universities and colleges educate students for careers, train workers, prepare and support people for entrepreneurial pursuits and perform research and development with technology and business innovators. These science, technology and training activities are recognized throughout the world as a potent recipe for creating higher-value economic opportunities and higher-paying jobs.

The Red River Valley of eastern North Dakota and western Minnesota has emerged in recent years as a hotspot for scientific research and technology-based development. The state’s two major research institutions — North Dakota State University in Fargo and the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks — spearhead these initiatives. The North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton and Northland Community & Technical

College in northwest Minnesota, among other institutions, are leading the way in advanced skills and technology training in the Valley.

Emerging technologies related to cybersecurity, unmanned aerial systems (UAS), precision agriculture and big data all have important implications for this region. Not only do these technology sectors have tremendous promise independent of one another, but advances in any one generates opportunities in another. By becoming a national leader in UAS, economic opportunities in precision agriculture increase as innovators explore opportunities where these industries complement and converge with one another with the most obvious example being UAS to gather data and imagery for crop analysis. Likewise, opportunities are created at the crossroads of cybersecurity and big data.

The Red River Valley Research Corridor promotes and supports efforts contributing to the development of technologies and opportunities in these promising emerging industries by convening summits that bring together the “triple helix” of universities, business and economic development — most recently by organizing the 10th UAS Summit & Expo in August in Grand Forks. In January, the RRVRC will co-host the sixth Precision Ag Action Summit in Jamestown, N.D., to not only support farmers in utilizing technology to optimize their operations, but also explore the growth and opportunities in various industries, which include the role of UAS, big data, sensors, data management and more.

The current state of these developing industries shows promise for the future and it is important to sustain our momentum. There is much room for growth and development in these high-growth industries and you can be certain other states are taking significant measures to become leaders in these emerging fields as well. PB

Ryan Aasheim Associate, Red River Valley Research Corridor Grand Forks ryan@theresearchcorridor.com

Amazing how something so tiny, can make for such big news.

Amazing how something so tiny, can make for such big news.

We at Prime Therapeutics have some pretty big news to share. We are working together with Walgreens to bring a completely new perspective to pharmacy bene t management. The combined scale of our new alliance, serving the members of over 25 Blue Cross and Blue Shield clients, brings with it industry leading cost advantages. It’s a strategic relationship that enhances the experience and improves the well-being of the people in our communities. All by building connections from the health plan to the pharmacy to bring the whole system together. And that is going to be a pretty big deal.

We at Prime Therapeutics have some pretty big news to share. We are working together with Walgreens to bring a completely new perspective to pharmacy bene t management. The combined scale of our new alliance, serving the members of over 25 Blue Cross and Blue Shield clients, brings with it industry leading cost advantages. It’s a strategic relationship that enhances the experience and improves the well-being of the people in our communities. All by building connections from the health plan to the pharmacy to bring the whole system together. And that is going to be a pretty big deal.

Learn more at APowerfulAlliance.com or by calling 855-457-1422.

Learn more at APowerfulAlliance.com or by calling 855-457-1422.