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Biotechnology in KC –
Life Sciences and Animal Health

There are 200 biotech companies in the Kansas City area employing more than 20,000 people.

In recent years, KC has developed specific areas of expertise within the broader biotech industry:

• Animal health
• Health care information
• Pharmaceutical development
• Comparative medicine
• Cardiology
• Oncology
• Neurology

Growing Research Base:

• Biotech research spending has more than doubled in KC since the year 2000.
• There are 12 new research facilities under construction throughout the Kansas City region. 
• Public and private research spending exceeds $1.8 billion.

Made in KC

• M&M Candy Coating  - MRIGlobal
• Drip coffee technology – MRIGlobal
• Advantage Flea and Tick products – Bayer Animal Health

Key Research Organizations

• Children’s Mercy Hospitals and Clinics
• K.C. Univ. of Medicine & Biosciences
• MRIGlobal
• Saint Luke’s Health System
• The Stowers Institute for Medical Research
• University of Kansas
• University of Kansas Medical Center
• University of Missouri-Kansas City

Professional Organizations

• MoBIO – Missouri Biotechnology Industry Organization
• Kansas BIO – Kansas Biotechnology Industry Organization
• Metropolitan Medical Society of Greater Kansas City
• Medical Society of Johnson & Wyandotte Counties
• Kansas City Independent Physician Association
• Healthcare Financial Management Association – Heart of America Chapter
• Kansas City Area Life Sciences Institute, Inc.

MBA programs are offered at most colleges in the KC area. Visit Higher Education for a list of schools.

History

Life sciences, and in particular, animal health, have a long history in KC.
In 1863, Bayer HealthCare AG was established and the bioscience industry in Kansas City was born.  Bayer began developing animal health products as early as 1919 with the introduction of Neguvon, a product to combat mange in animals.  In 1923, Bayer released Naganol, the first veterinary product specifically produced to protect animals against blood parasites.  Since then, Bayer has released a number of animal health products and vaccinations.   

Meanwhile, MRIGlobal was founded in 1944 in an attempt to bolster the Midwest economy.  MRIGlobal’s first project emphasized chemistry and drew from Kansas City’s agricultural roots.  Major breakthroughs were made in the 1950s.  Chemists introduced soluble coffee for J.A. Foldger & Co., and perfected the M&Ms chocolate candy coating process. 

Bioscience kept growing in Kansas City, and more breakthroughs were made.  More companies and research organizations established themselves in the KC region between the 1960s and today including Cerner, IVX Animal Health, Quintiles and the Stower’s Institute for Medical Research. 

In 2004, Kathleen Sebelius signed the Kansas Economic Growth act which committed the state to the advancement of the bioscience industry.  More than $500 million will be invested in the next decade to ensure the progress of bioscience.

• Livestock economy began in St. Joseph, Mo. in 1846.
• In 1871 the Kansas City stockyards opened their gates.
• Concentration of millions of livestock created demand for other agricultural and veterinary products.
• Veterinary medicine at the University of Missouri began in 1884.
• In 1886 Kansas State University offers its first animal health courses.
• First animal pharmaceutical company opened in 1921- Haver-Glover
• MRIGlobal opens in 1944 with a focus on agricultural  science.