OLATHE, Kan. — With momentum building in the biosciences in Kansas, the Kansas Bioscience Authority plans to make approximately $52 million in new investments in FY 2009 to expand research; foster the formation and growth of startup businesses; and facilitate industry expansion statewide.
Highlights of the KBA’s programs to invest in bioscience growth throughout the business cycle include the following:
Kansas Bioscience Eminent Scholars and Rising Stars: To enhance the national eminence of bioscience research programs at Kansas universities, the KBA has dedicated $6.75 million to recruit new eminent scholars and develop promising researchers. The scholars recognized by these programs will be standouts in their fields and bring with them existing research funding and a record of success that will translate into industry growth.
Kansas Cancer Research and Treatment: The KBA plans to invest $5 million in collaborative projects that stimulate high-quality cancer research, treatment and care throughout Kansas.
Kansas Bioscience Centers of Innovation: To further assert Kansas’ international leadership in bioscience clusters such as animal health and drug delivery, the KBA plans to invest $15 million to develop novel centers of innovation to ensure Kansas bioscience industries have access to cutting-edge technology and talent to develop new products that lead to high commercial payoff and new jobs. Centers will operate as consortia of industry, higher education, and other private research organizations and will be industry-led.
Kansas Venture Capital Program and the Seed and Early Stage Fund: The KBA plans to invest $4 million to expand the availability of early stage capital for bioscience startups in Kansas. The goal is to attract the attention of venture capitalists who can direct significant resources to outstanding bioscience business opportunities in Kansas, creating a pipeline of investment for privately managed funds. KBA funds will serve as leverage or match for private dollars.
Heartland BioVentures: The KBA will expand its successful effort to foster the formation and growth of bioscience startups statewide. The services, resources and networks of Heartland BioVentures and its partners are directed to help bioscience startups develop products, raise capital and go to market.
KBA president Tom Thornton said the authority’s big investment goals are a tangible sign of the state’s commitment to national bioscience leadership.
“When Kansas invests in its areas of bioscience strength, in a focused way that propels the products of research to the marketplace, Kansas wins,” he said. “We have the talent, innovation and resources to lead in sectors as diverse as animal health, bioenergy, biomaterials, plant biology, and drug discovery and delivery, and KBA funding is geared to ensure we attain national stature in these dynamic clusters.”
KBA chairwoman Sandra Lawrence said a comprehensive approach focused on key bioscience sectors would allow the state to continue making a highly strategic set of investments with measurable outcomes envisioned in the Kansas Economic Growth Act: jobs, wage growth, and capital investment.
“We’re capturing the bold spirit of this legislation by saying Kansas is going to be at the center of tackling national and international challenges through bioscience advancements,” Lawrence said.
Other KBA programs will include the Kansas Bioscience Research and Development Voucher Program; the Kansas Bioscience Matching Fund; the Kansas Bioscience Park incubator; and the Kansas Bioscience Expansion and Attraction Program.
Additional programs and/or investments may be approved by the board of directors at any time, and the board also may choose to alter spending plans based on changing priorities or unexpected events. The KBA’s fiscal year will end June 30, 2009.
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About the KBA
The Kansas Bioscience Authority is a $581-million initiative created by the Kansas Economic Growth Act of 2004 to expand the state’s world-class research capacity and bioscience clusters; support the growth of bioscience startups; and stimulate bioscience business expansion and attraction. For more information: www.kansasbioauthority.org.