University of Minnesota quadruples biomanufacturing capability to fast-track innovations at new facility
A new state-of-the-art biomanufacturing facility on the University of Minnesota’s St. Paul campus is playing a critical role between researchers and industry to scale new solutions.
In its expansive new space, Minnesota Biomanufacturing Services (formerly the Biotechnology Resource Center) is five times larger and quadruples its capacity. By harnessing natural processes like microbial and fungal fermentation, the center helps academic researchers and businesses develop a variety of products to address pressing public needs, from environmental cleanup to next-generation farming.
“Our Saint Paul campus has long been a center for biological, agricultural and veterinary innovations,” said President Rebecca Cunningham. “This world-class facility, built on decades of expertise in biotechnology and biomanufacturing, will be an engine for progress towards a healthier, more sustainable world and reflects our resolute commitment to build an even more vibrant St. Paul campus.”
Exterior of the new facility on the St. Paul campus. Credit: University of Minnesota.
Minnesota Biomanufacturing Services can produce a variety of products, from compounds used for new pharmaceuticals to enzymes to help clean up the environment. They work with academic researchers, Fortune 500 companies and biotech startups in the pharmaceutical, veterinary medicine, agricultural, industrial biotechnology and food sectors. The facility is set up to test processes and produce biological materials at a variety of scales ranging from milliliters and micrograms to hectoliters and kilograms.
“Our new facility greatly expands our capacity to provide end-to-end bioprocess development, ensuring rigorous control and optimization at every stage,” says Minnesota Biomanufacturing Services Director Marcus Schicklberger. “While our name has changed, our commitment to rigor, quality and technical excellence remains at the heart of everything we do.”
This expansion features upgrades to purification, support, analytics and quality control, enabling the facility to run multiple large-scale projects simultaneously. These improvements ensure faster production timelines and greater flexibility.
The new facility began full operations this spring. The ribbon cutting and grand opening provides an opportunity to learn more about the expertise, facilities, and services advancing biomanufacturing at the University of Minnesota.
