BioMADE, the nonprofit headquartered at the University of Minnesota’s St. Paul campus, is expanding its footprint with the development of a new flagship biomanufacturing facility in Maple Grove. The organization will repurpose a 122,000-square-foot building at 7500 Meridian Circle North—near Highway 169 and Elm Creek Boulevard—into a cutting-edge demonstration-scale production site.
Backed by a combined $132 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Defense and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), the project will serve as a national model for scaling biotechnology innovations. Minnesota is contributing $50 million, with the remainder provided by the Department of Defense, which originally helped launch BioMADE in 2020 with an $87.5 million investment to support defense-focused bioindustrial development.
The Maple Grove facility will house two 25,000-liter industrial fermenters and a full suite of downstream processing equipment—including centrifuges, membrane filtration systems, ion exchange columns, crystallizers, and drying capabilities—allowing for both liquid and solid end products. Lab resources will support analytical testing and process development, enabling a range of companies to transition their innovations from lab-scale prototypes to commercial readiness.
Bridging the gap
“While the U.S. has long led in biotech research, there’s a critical gap in infrastructure to scale those breakthroughs into production,” said BioMADE CEO Douglas Friedman. “This facility will help bridge that gap by providing the tools and space needed to advance innovation, not just for commercial applications but for national defense as well.”
BioMADE collaborates with companies of all sizes—including local names like Wayzata-based Cargill and national players such as Lockheed Martin—to develop sustainable consumer products like plant-based plastics, textiles, and personal care goods. The Maple Grove site will particularly focus on bio-based chemicals and materials and will feature enhanced safety protocols to handle volatile substances.
BioMADE’s new Maple Grove biomanufacturing facility, it will serve diverse industry needs, offering support across product development stages—from early testing to pilot-scale production and refinement. BioMADE also plans to integrate on-site education and workforce development programs, offering hands-on lab training and upskilling opportunities for students and existing workers. The nonprofit notes that every job created in the bioindustrial sector can generate up to 11 additional jobs across the U.S. economy.
“BioMADE is helping Minnesota leverage its strengths in manufacturing, innovation, and natural resources to lead the future of sustainable industry,” said DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek. “This investment marks a significant step toward building a robust bioindustrial manufacturing ecosystem in the state.”
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New facility opening, jobs
The facility is expected to open in 2027 and will initially create around 25 full-time jobs, with potential for expansion as operations grow.
Additionally, BioMADE’s announcement joins a broader surge in U.S. biomanufacturing investment. Companies like Amgen have committed major resources—such as a $900 million Ohio expansion bringing 350 new jobs—while industry leaders including Merck, Novartis, Eli Lilly, Roche, Johnson & Johnson, and AbbVie have pledged more than $166 billion in U.S. manufacturing investments over the next decade.
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BioMADE Maple Grove Biomanufacturing Facility
Project Overview
Organization: BioMADE (nonprofit headquartered at University of Minnesota’s St. Paul campus)
Project: New flagship biomanufacturing facility
Location: 7500 Meridian Circle North, Maple Grove, MN (near Highway 169 and Elm Creek Boulevard)
Building Size: 122,000 square feet i.e. repurposed existing building
Expected Opening: 2027
Initial Job Creation: Approximately 25 full-time positions
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Funding
Total Investment: $132 million
Funding Sources:
U.S. Department of Defense: $82 million
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED): $50 million
Production Capabilities at BioMADE’s Upcoming Maple Grove Biomanufacturing Site
Two 25,000-liter industrial fermenters
Complete downstream processing suite that is centrifuges, membrane filtration, ion exchange columns, crystallizers, and drying systems
Capacity for both liquid and solid end products
Additional Resources:
Laboratory facilities for analytical testing
Process development capabilities
Enhanced safety protocols for volatile substan
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