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Seriously? Growing Rice in Kansas?

On May 31, 2006, KansasBio held an industry briefing on PMP (Plant Made Pharmaceuticals) and Ventria Bioscience, a PMP company who is exploring business expansion opportunities in Kansas. We worked in conjunction with BIO (Biotechnology Industry Organization), Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association, and the Kansas Department of Agriculture to bring together producer groups from across the state to discuss the PMP topic.

Kansas Secretary of Agriculture, Adrian Polansky, kicked off the meeting. Secretary Polansky commented about his experience in working with Scott Deeter, Ventria's CEO, and results from soil and water studies which indicate rice could be grown successfully in Kansas. He also stated his appreciation for the numerous producer groups attending the meeting.

Scott Deeter discussed the science behind Ventria's work, the company's 13 year history, and highlighted results from a recent study conducted in Peru involving the company's oral rehydration solution. Click here to view the presentation.

You can read more about the company in two recently-published articles:

At the briefing, Dr. Michael J. Phillips, Vice President, Food and Agriculture, Science and Regulatory Affairs with BIO in Washington, D.C, presented information on regulation within the industry. Click here to view the presentation.

Shortly following the briefing, producer representatives signed a letter of support -- encouraging Ventria to expand their operations in Kansas, where they would be embraced by the Kansas agricultural community. In the letter they said:

"On behalf of the undersigned agricultural producers in Kansas, we are writing to express strong support for Ventria Bioscience and the growth of plant-made pharmaceuticals in Kansas. Together, we represent the entire spectrum of agricultural producers with an interest in plant-made pharmaceuticals. The biotech rice varieties being research by Ventria Bioscience, represent a class of products called plant-made pharmaceuticals (PMPs) and result from a breakthrough application of biotechnology to enable plants to produce therapeutic proteins to combat life-threatening illnesses. Using plants to produce biopharmaceuticals could deliver on the promise of accessible medicines to combat disease in the United States, as well as diseases afflicting the developing world.

It seems appropriate that Kansas, with its strong support of the biotechnology industry, would be the site for this important work.. Kansas is one of the few states that can boast both a vibrant agricultural and lifesciences research community. It is only natural that Kansas leads the way in the marriage of these two vital industries."

The letter was signed by:

KansasBio also wrote a letter of support for Ventria, signed by President Angela Kreps and Chairman Dan Richardson. Click here to read more highlights about the PMP industry.