GOVERNOR SEBELIUS JOINS KANSAS DELEGATION TO DEBUT $580 MILLION BIOSCIENCE INITIATIVE AT BIO 2006
MIDWEST FOCUS PROMPTS KANSAS’ BIGGEST EFFORT AT INTERNATIONAL BIO CONFERENCE

LENEXA, KS (April 4, 2006)—KansasBio announces that Governor Kathleen Sebelius will be an integral part of the Kansas Delegation at BIO 2006 in Chicago on April 9-12, 2006. Considered the “Olympics” of Biotechnology, the BIO international convention will mark the first time the conference will take place in the Midwest. Kansas is leveraging this Midwest focus to draw attention to the state’s growing bioscience industry, including its newly-created $580 million bioscience stimulus fund.

With an already growing bioscience industry in place, Kansas has put together an unprecedented statewide effort to tell the Kansas story to an estimated 20,000 attendees that include biotech executives, investors, journalists, policy makers and scientists from more than 60 countries. Members of the Kansas Bioscience Authority- the body that will guide the state in investing the $580 million fund - will also join the delegation to explain its role in the state and how those interested in taking advantage of the initiative can work with Kansas.

KansasBio is coordinating the statewide presence and has, together with its sponsor steering committee, selected “Kansas. Thinking Big in Bioscience” as the state theme for the event. This theme ties directly to the Kansas brand image campaign, “KANSAS, as big as you think.”

“Kansas has worked tremendously hard to put together a top-notch presence to ensure that the rest of the world understands what Kansas brings to the table in the biosciences,” said Angela Kreps, President of KansasBio. “With our enthusiastic sponsors, our many Kansas experts invited to present at the conferences, as well as a motivated and diverse delegation, we are certain to get results from this important and collaborative effort. We just can’t wait to get to Chicago.”

“This is an exciting time for Kansas,” said Governor Kathleen Sebelius, who also serves as Chair of the Governor’s Ethanol Coalition. “Kansas already enjoys recognition as one of the most business-friendly states in the U.S. When combined with an over half-billion dollar bioscience funding initiative, we are certain to send a powerful message to the world. I applaud KansasBio and the Kansas delegation for putting forward this tremendous effort to tell the rest of the world just how big Kansas is thinking in the biosciences.”

Special features at the Kansas Pavilion begin with a “Governor’s Ribbon Cutting” to be held on Monday, April 10, 9:30am. This event will showcase the two-story Kansas Pavilion, which Hill’s Pet Nutrition provided to the state to be branded for this convention. Additionally, KansasBio, with honorary host Governor Kathleen Sebelius, will hold a “Kansas Kick-Off” reception the evening of Monday, April 10. Kansas continues its special events with a Kansas Pavilion “Tailgate” reception on Tuesday, April 11th. This event will showcase Kansas biosciences, as well as highlight the state’s tradition in sports excellence. At this event, delegates will interact with the Kansas Bioscience Authority and special celebrity guests Gale Sayers, a former KU and professional football player –turned technology executive, as well as Mitch Holthus, voice of the Kansas City Chiefs and former play-by-play announcer for Kansas State University.

“Kansas is putting its best foot forward to show the world we are open for business - and we mean business,” said Clay Blair, Chair of the Kansas Bioscience Authority. “The Kansas Bioscience Authority is proud to be a part of this effort, and we look forward to meeting the many individuals and companies around the globe who can benefit from doing business in Kansas.”

Sponsors for the Kansas presence at BIO 2006 include: Platinum sponsor - Kansas Bioscience Authority; Gold sponsors - Kansas Department of Commerce, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Kansas Technology Enterprise Corporation (KTEC), ICM, Bayer Animal Health; University sponsors- Kansas State University, University of Kansas, Kansas University Medical Center, Wichita State University, Pittsburg State University, Emporia State University; Community sponsors - Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, Topeka Chamber of Commerce, KCADC, KCALSI, Junction City & Geary County Economic Development, Regional Development Association of East Central Kansas, Shawnee Economic Development Council, Stinson Morrison Hecker LLP, Haake Insurance and Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP.

Click Here to download Governor Kathleen Sebelius's photo.