FARGO, N.D. – The Neuropsychiatric Research Institute (NRI) in Fargo, North Dakota, and Sanford Health announced they have agreed to a letter of intent (LOI). This is a non-binding first step in a potential partnership.
A proposed partnership would give NRI access to Sanford clinical resources in North and South Dakota – allowing NRI to focus and expand its clinical and translational research – to enhance potential treatments for patients. For Sanford, it will create a Biobehavioral Center of Excellence, a key step toward its goal of establishing a major research program in Fargo.
NRI has 36 employees and other scientific faculty and office space in downtown Fargo. If the partnership is completed, the NRI employees would become Sanford employees.
NRI President and Scientific Director Dr. Stephen Wonderlich said, “Our two organizations know each other very well. There is a mutual trust and appreciation that’s been achieved over many years of working closely together. Our vision is to really tailor our research around treatments that will make a difference for people. This partnership will help us expedite that vision.”
NRI has a long history of research in the field of psychiatric and behavioral disorders. It was established in 1955 and has shared resources and collaborated closely with Sanford (and previously MeritCare) since 1961. Over the last 20 years, NRI has focused on eating disorders, obesity and outcomes of bariatric surgery. Additionally, there has been a long-standing interest in the development of new treatments for eating disorders.
“This partnership allows us to quickly grow our research focus in Fargo, an area we’ve been looking to invest in,” said Nate White, executive vice president, Sanford Fargo. “It’s the start of what we hope will be some big announcements around the expansion of Sanford Research in Fargo.”
The LOI allows for due diligence, including financial, legal and business information that will help validate that partnering is a good decision for both organizations. A timeline of summer 2018 has been set for the organizations to come together.
Dr. Dave Pearce, executive vice president, Sanford Research said, “We know that many physicians are drawn to organizations that provide opportunities to practice medicine while also conducting research. Expanding our research program in Fargo helps us recruit more physicians, and ultimately gives people better access to clinical trials and the latest treatments and cures.”
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Posted In Company News, Fargo, News, Research
