Kansas Bioscience Authority approves $1.65 million in investments here

The Kansas Bioscience Authority board today approved investments for three Johnson County facilities.

* Ceva Biomune will receive $700,000 to expand its manufacturing facility in Lenexa for the production of vaccines for the global poultry market. The company intends to create 81 new bioscience jobs and invest about $15 million in the expansion.

* SAFC Biosciences of Lenexa received $250,000 to support the expansion of its manufacturing facility, which will allow increased production of cell culture media used to make biopharmaceuticals and other products. The company is expected to make an additional capital investment of about $6 million in the expansion and hire an estimated 27 new employees.

* The University of Kansas will receive $700,000 over three years upon the successful attraction of a rising star scholar who would provide the KU Cancer Center in Westwood with additional expertise in cancer biomarker analysis and characterization. The scholar would bring external funding of $2.85 million and a substantial record of publication and invited lectures at the national and international level.

Tom Thornton, president of the KBA, said the significant expansion of two manufacturing facilities in Kansas was another example of bioscience contributing to the state’s economic recovery and long-term financial vitality.

“These companies ship products from Kansas to researchers and companies worldwide in the human and animal health bioscience sectors,” Thornton said. “We applaud their success and look forward to their continued growth here.”

“We also congratulate KU on its progress in building upon its already outstanding cancer fighting capabilities, as it works to bring cutting-edge treatments closer to home for Kansans while sharing our state’s unique expertise with the world.”

Approved investments are subject to final agreements between the KBA and investees.

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.

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