May 2009
The Kansas City Area Life Sciences Institute provides this news brief for civic, corporate, political and scientific leaders to update you on the progress of the life sciences initiative in the Kansas City area. To unsubscribe, please contact Sharon Newman at 816-753-7700.
KCALSI Annual Events Interactive available
If you missed the presentation by Dr. Frank Douglas “How to Exploit a Black Swan Event in the Biopharmaceutical Industry,” or would like a comprehensive recap, visit the KCALSI website where you will find podcast, videos and photos of April 2 KCALSI Annual Dinner, including:
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“Welcome” comments by KCALSI Board Chairman Irvine O. Hockaday, Jr.
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“Regional Report” presented by William P. Duncan, Ph.D.
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“KCALSI: Achieving Life Sciences Excellence” video
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“Regional Report” presented by Irvine O. Hockaday along with a tribute to retiring President William P. Duncan, Ph.D.
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Keynote address entitled “How to Exploit a Black Swan Event in the Biopharmaceutical Industry” by Frank L. Douglas, Ph.D., M.D.
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“Closing Remarks” by Irvine O. Hockaday, Jr.
Kirk Schulz to be the 13th President of K-State
On July 1, 2009 Kansas State University welcomes its 13th President. Kirk Schulz will succeed Jon Wefald who has served as K-State’s President for the past 23 years. Kirk Schulz was vice president for research and economic development at Mississippi State University, and is an outstanding academic leader with experience at land grant universities. >> More info
Proteon Therapeutics Completes Second Closing of Equity Financing; Raises Total Series B to $50 million
Additional investment came from two new investors, Bessemer Venture Partners and Devon Park Bioventures, as well as from previous investors. Proteon’s lead product candidate, PRT-201, received orphan drug designation from FDA for prevention of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) maturation failure and arteriovenous graft (AVG) failure in patients with end-stage renal disease who are on or preparing for hemodialysis. Orphan drug designation allows for certain tax credits and an extended period of data exclusivity. Additionally, in a recent agreement, Novartis has been granted an exclusive option to acquire Proteon following the successful completion of a Phase 2 clinical study of PRT-201, with a potential secondary right to a global license under pre-agreed conditions.
>> More info
New Stowers Campus in South KC?
The Kansas City Business Journal believes it knows were Stowers plans to expand and create a 100-acre life sciences corridor. The Stowers Institute for Medical Research reported in June 2007 that it had acquired more than 100 acres of undeveloped land in KC to accommodate its plan to build 600,000 square feet of research space each decade in perpetuity. Based on Jackson County tax and land records, the local newspaper states this site is bounded by Blue Ridge Boulevard on the east, 107th Street and the Stratford Estates subdivision on the south, Hillcrest Road on the west, and Interstate 470 on the north. >> More info
Medical Center Receives Grant to Study Tinnitus
The Defense Department awarded the University of Kansas Medical Center a $1.27 million grant to study tinnitus, a ringing, buzzing or whistling in the ear. Tinnitus is a disease common among military personnel and others who are exposed to excessive noise. Researchers will study if the regeneration of hair cells in the inner ear can restore hearing, normal brain function and mitigate tinnitus. >> More info
KU Announces New Associate Vice Provost and Interim Provost
The University of Kansas selected Joseph Heppert, current professor and chair of the Department of Chemistry at KU, as its new associate vice provost for research and graduate studies as well as a vice president of the KU Center for Research Inc. Heppert will succeed George Wilson Jan 1, 2010. >> More info
University of Kansas Chancellor Robert Hemenway named Danny J. Anderson, current vice president for academic affairs, to serve as interim provost for the 2009-10 academic year. Anderson will replace Joseph Steinmetz who accepted a new position as executive dean and vice provost of arts and sciences at Ohio State University. >> More info
NIH Renews K-State Grant to Study LASIK Complications
The National Eye Institute of the National Institutes of Health awarded Gary Conrad, professor at Kansas State University’s Division of Biology, a four-year grant renewal of $1.48 million to continue his study of the cornea. Conrad will study how to more quickly regenerate nerves cut during LASIK to decrease complications. The grant renewal makes Conrad’s grant the longest continuously funded grant in the state of Kansas. >> More info
K-State Director Appointed to One Health Committee
The American Veterinary Medical Association selected Michael B. Cates, director of Kansas State University’s master of public health program, as its representative to the One Health Joint Steering Committee, a national effort focused on attaining optimal health for people, animals and the environment. >> More info
U.S. Students Show Lag in Biosciences
Many states are turning to bioscience and biotechnology industries; however there will be few qualified workers to fill the jobs created according to a recent report by Battelle. U.S. students are showing less interest in science, and high schools across the nation, especially in the south, are doing a poor job preparing students for college-level science. The deficiencies will hurt the country’s competitiveness with the rest of the world in the knowledge-based economy unless immediate action is taken. >> More info
Health Care Workers Train Through Medical Simulation
The University of Missouri and University of Missouri –Kansas City are using medical simulations that mimic busy emergency rooms to help train their health care students. The simulations are designed to help students recognize safety risks and communicate with other health professionals to care for patients as a team. >> More info
KBA OKs $11 Million in New Life Sciences Investments
The Kansas Bioscience Authority approved several life sciences grants this past month totaling more than $11 million. The Kansas Innovation Center and the Center of Innovation for Biomaterials in Orthopaedic Research were both awarded $4 million. CyDex Pharmaceuticals Inc. obtained $1.9 million and the University of Kansas Center for Environmentally Beneficial Catalysis received a $1.2 million match. >> More info
76 Nonprofits Benefit from MFH Grants
The Missouri Foundation for Health (MFH) made grants totaling $7.6 million to 76 nonprofit organizations across Missouri during the first quarter. Funding will support programs to improve health care and address operational support, health literacy, tobacco use and women’s health. >> More info
Nixon Distributes $156 Million in Stimulus Money
Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon signed a $155.7 million supplemental appropriations bill that will distribute funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. A large portion of the funding is for employment and job-training programs for low-income youth and displaced workers. >> More info
KU, UMKC Receive $2.3 Million
BioMed Valley Corp. awarded the University of Kansas and the University of Missouri – Kansas City each $2.3 million to create endowed chairs for life sciences at each university. >> More info
Biomed Research Group Gets $18.5 Million from NIH
The National Institutes of Health awarded the Kansas IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence an additional $18.5 million. The biomedical research organization is based at the University of Kansas Medical Center. This grant brings total NIH financing to $44.2 million for the organization. >> More info
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