KANSAS ANNOUNCES "BIG THINKERS"
IN BIOSCIENCE

Lenexa, Kan. - In preparation for the BIO 2007 convention in Boston May 6-9, 2007, KansasBio has named seven industry and policy leaders as Kansas bioscience "BIG THINKERS. The Kansas Bioscience BIG THINKERS are individuals whose groundbreaking leadership in bioscience innovation has contributed to bioscience research, commercialization, policy, industry growth and expansion in the state. The Kansas Bioscience BIG THINKERS are part of the Kansas strategy to showcase its historical strengths and new innovation in biosciences during the world's largest bioscience convention.

The 2007 Kansas Bioscience BIG Thinkers are:

• Scott Deeter, President and CEO, Ventria Bioscience
  
• David Franz, International Expert, Biosecurity
  
• Joerg Ohle, President and General Manager, Bayer HealthCare LLC, Animal Health Division N.A.
  
• Governor Kathleen Sebelius, Governor of Kansas
  
• Val Stella, Distinguished Professor of Phamaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas
  
• Tom Thornton, President and CEO, Kansas Bioscience Authority
  
• Dave Vander Griend, President and CEO, ICM Inc.

During the BIO 2006 convention in Chicago, Kansas received acclaim and national media attention for its significant presence, which included the only two-story state pavilion at the convention. Governor Kathleen Sebelius also joined the delegation in Chicago as the state highlighted its $580 million bioscience initiative.

With Kansas gaining the bioscience industry's attention in 2006, Kansas will focus its 2007 presence on the breadth and depth of the state's bioscience industry. As part of this focus, Kansas will bring BIG THINKERS in Kansas bioscience who can best tell the world of the state's strengths, opportunities and path for growth.

"Certainly the passage of our award-winning $580 million bioscience initiative in 2004 is vital to spurring growth in the industry, however we're not resting on our laurels," said Angela Kreps, President of KansasBio. "By featuring our BIG THINKERS at BIO 2007, Kansas is demonstrating to the world that we have a strong track record of bioscience innovation and thoughtful leadership."

"Kansas is committed to supporting a vibrant bioscience industry, and to giving companies the support they need to make big discoveries and advance the frontiers of science," said Governor Kathleen Sebelius. "We've continued to move forward over the past year, celebrating the completion of the Biosecurity Research Institute at Kansas State University and the opening of the Life Sciences Innovation Center at the University of Kansas Medical Center.  Most importantly, we've also made long-term commitments to our K-12 schools and post-secondary institutions so that we'll have a talented and versatile workforce for years to come."

The BIG THINKERS will be featured at numerous events during the convention, including the Kansas Bioscience Industry Growth (BIG) Reception at the Boston Harbor on Monday, May 7; during the KansasBio Media Mornings on Monday, May 7, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and Tuesday, May 8, from 10 a.m. to noon.
 
"I look forward to joining the other Kansas "BIG THINKERS" in promoting Kansas at BIO 2007 in Boston," said Tom Thornton, president and CEO of the Kansas Bioscience Authority. "Kansas has an abundance of "BIG THINKERS" who are placing the state at the forefront of the convergence of health, food and agriculture and industrial and environmental bioscience. Kansas is home to world class research institutions; innovative startups; and leaders in drug discovery, animal health, plant sciences, bio-fuels and bio-composites and it's time to let the world in on what we are doing to become a bioscience leader."

Click here to learn more about the Kansas Bioscience BIG THINKERS.
Click here to download a pdf of this press release.