Steering Committee to Provide Leadership

KansasBio has formed its Steering Committee for BIO 2007 in Boston. Comprised of Platinum and Gold level sponsors, the Steering Committee’s primary role is to encourage, guide and provide leadership regarding Kansas’ presence at BIO 2007.

The Steering Committee met Thursday, February 8 to discuss Kansas’ overall messaging and theme, the Kansas pavilion layout and orientation, sponsor recruitment, collaterals and special events. Steering Committee members include:

Michael Beckloff KansasBio Chair	Greg Krissek ICM, Inc.	Dan Richardson Hill’s Pet Nutrition
Tracy Taylor KTEC	Tom Thornton Kansas Bioscience Authority	Bob Walker Bayer Animal Health

Why I'm going to BIO 2007
Lesa Mitchell - Vice President for Innovation, Kauffman Foundation

"The amount of philanthropic dollars focused on advancing scientific innovations is taking on increased significance in the form of new foundations or increased giving toward current life science foundations. In many cases these foundations were created or funded by patients and their families frustrated by the slow pace of the traditional medical research system. For the second year the Kauffman Foundation is sponsoring the BIO Translational Research forum that will highlight specific entrepreneurial models of philanthropy focused on advancing innovations in the life science arena."

"Big Thinker" Series Hits National Stage

KansasBio will launch its “Big Thinker” series onto the national state at BIO 2007 in Boston. Several Kansas “Big Thinkers” will be joining the Kansas Delegation in Boston to promote the state’s commitment to the biosciences.

Attendees at BIO 2007 will have the opportunity to visit the Kansas Pavilion, meet these remarkable individuals and to hear them discuss their work, experiences and visions.

Don’t miss an issue of BIObuzz - we'll be announcing the Kansas "Big Thinkers" who will join us in Boston.

BioTech Primer: "Learn Enough Biotech to be Dangerous!"

Do you need to understand the basic terms and techniques of biotechnology? Join the BioTech Primer session for two hours on Sunday, May 6 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. during BIO 2007 for their program “Learn Enough Biotech to be Dangerous!”

BioTech Primer’s engaging talks have been well-received by non-scientists from many diverse backgrounds. Venture capitalists, lawyers, policy makers, communication experts and others have come away from the experience with an increased understanding of the basic biotechnology principles and vocabulary required to communicate with others in the industry.

CLICK HERE for more information.

Translational Research Forum

Learn what you can do to accelerate translational research and commercialize university discoveries during BIO 2007 in Boston at the Translational Research Forum, Sunday,
May 6, from 10:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Sponsored by the Kauffman Foundation, this session presents several case studies that address the kinds of resources and assistance you’ll need. Topics include: designing and creating the enterprise, overcoming barriers, handling IPOs and sharing revenue, funding operations and translational research, structuring governance, establishing expectations and metrics and building consensus.

CLICK HERE for more information.

Sponsors Help Grow Biosciences in Kansas

This is an extremely exciting time for the Kansas bioscience industry. KansasBio has doubled its membership in the past year for one big reason - there is a distinct need for Kansas to understand what the industry needs to continue to grow and thrive. As Kansas has prioritized growing this industry, our voice needs to be cohesive, clear and constant. KansasBio is working at every turn to provide this voice, while contributing to the solutions. BIO 2007 in Boston provides us a "BIG" stage to show the world what Kansas brings to the table in the biosciences.

Each of our partners from last year has indicated they are fully committed and excited to be part of a "return" trip to BIO. We couldn’t be more pleased with our statewide support. Hill’s Pet Nutrition will once again donate its premium two-story pavilion to Kansas for BIO 2007.

We are thrilled to announce that Kansas Farm Bureau has joined KansasBio and its statewideeffort as a Silver sponsor.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Platinum Sponsors:
Kansas Bioscience Authority
Kansas Technology Enterprise Corporation (KTEC)

Gold Sponsors:
Bayer Animal Health
Hill's Pet Nutrition
ICM, Inc.

Silver Sponsors:
Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC)
Kansas Department of Commerce
Kansas Farm Bureau
Lawrence Chamber of Commerce

Bronze Sponsors:
City of Pittsburg
Junction City & Geary County Economic Development
Kansas City Area Life Sciences Institute (KCALSI)
Manhattan Chamber of Commerce
Regional Development Association of East Central Kansas
Shawnee Economic Development Council
Topeka Chamber of Commerce

University Sponsors:
Kansas State University
Pittsburg State University
University of Kansas
Wichita State University

We have a lot of work to do and hands to shake in Boston. We need your support. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of the Kansas Delegation at BIO 2007, where Kansas will shine in an international setting, please contact Angela Kreps, KansasBio President, akreps@kansasbio.org or call at (913) 495-4334.