Dakota BioWorx Acquires South Dakota–Built Bioreactor to Expand Workforce Training and Strengthen Statewide Biotechnology Pipeline

Dakota BioWorx today announced the acquisition of a custom-designed bioreactor developed by CNAM-Bio, an applied bioprocessing research center at South Dakota Mines.The bioreactor will be dedicated to workforce development and hands-on training at Dakota BioWorx’s Brookings facility.

The bioreactor will be installed in Dakota BioWorx’s training lab, where it will be used to train students, technicians, and early-career professionals in real-world bioprocessing and fermentation operations.

The development of the bioreactor and its customized application is part of a broader partnership between Dakota BioWorx and CNAM-Bio, which encompasses a shared commitment to scaling SouthDakota–developed innovations from the lab into real-world production environments. The collaboration supports applied research, process scale-up, and workforce training, helping ensure that engineering and biotechnology advancements developed in-state can move efficiently toward commercial and industrial use.

“This is what it looks like when South Dakota invests in South Dakota,”said Craig Arnold, CEO of Dakota BioWorx. “We’re not just acquiring equipment; we’re creating hands-on training opportunities that prepare our talent for high-quality biotech jobs here in our state.”

Why This Matters to South Dakotans

Biotechnology plays an increasingly important role in agriculture, renewable products, food systems, and manufacturing. As demand for these technologies grows, so does the need for a skilled, job-ready workforce.

By dedicating this bioreactor to training and workforce development, Dakota BioWorx and South Dakota Mines are helping:

• Prepare South Dakotans for high-skill, high-wage jobs
• Retain engineering and science talent within the state
• Support rural and agricultural innovation
• Strengthen the connection between education and industry
• Make South Dakota more competitive for future investment

Rather than sending students and workers out of state for specialized training, this partnership keeps education, equipment, and opportunity local.

From Engineering Education to Industry Training

CNAM-Bio, the applied bioprocessing center at South Dakota Mines, designed and built the bioreactor as part of its mission to translate university-led innovation into industry-ready systems. SouthDakota Mines is not only educating students but also actively shaping workforce pipelines and industry capacity, amplifying their impact well beyond campus and reinforcing South Dakota's position as a competitive, innovation-ready state.

“SouthDakota Mines is proud to help train the next generation of biotech professionals,” said Mines President Dr. Brian Tande. “This bioreactor is a great example of how applied engineering and industry partnerships can strengthen workforce training and economic growth across the state.”

Once installed, the bioreactor will support training programs, demonstrations, and hands-on learning for students, industry partners, and workforce development initiatives across the state.

Universities like South Dakota Mines are not only educating students but also actively shaping workforce pipelines and industry capacity, amplifying their impact well beyond campus and reinforcing South Dakota’s position as a competitive, innovation-ready state.

A Statewide Biotechnology Ecosystem

Dakota BioWorx serves as a bridge between research and commercial production, helping early-stage biotech companies scale safely and efficiently. Partnerships like this one strengthen South Dakota’s ability to support innovation at every stage from education and training to pilot-scale manufacturing.

Following commissioning and quality assurance, the bioreactor will support hands-on workforce training programs later this year.

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