This press release contains dated information and should be used for background only.
KANSAS CITY, Kan.--The Biotechnology Development Center of Greater Kansas City (KCBDC) at the University of Kansas Medical Center announced the first client to occupy space in its wet lab incubator adjacent to the KUMC campus at 3800 Cambridge St. Proteon Therapeutics is developing a drug to permanently dilate blood vessels during vascular surgery and angioplasty procedures with the goal of initial FDA approval by 2009.
Jointly, Proteon and the KUMC Research Institute have been awarded a Phase I Small Business Technology Transfer grant from the National Institutes of Health to help Proteon develop its leading pharmaceutical product. As Proteon grows, opportunities for economic growth for Kansas City and Wyandotte County will become reality. Xenotech, the last company to occupy the lab space before the remodel, grew from two employees to 70 in four years.
"Life sciences research directly creates above average salaries and jobs for scientists, laboratory technicians and others," said Thomas Noffsinger, Ph.D. and Vice Chancellor for Research Administration at KUMC. "It also generates additional flows of spending and taxes that further expand the economy."
Proteon has been collaborating with KU scientists on its current research. "This lab was a natural fit and a win for both organizations," said Nicholas Franano, M.D., M.A., CEO of Proteon. "Proteon will be housed in close proximity to a strong research base and scientists who we have been working with for years."
The University of Kansas Medical Center has helped fill a niche in the Kansas City biotechnology market. As the only life sciences business incubator in the metropolitan area, the purpose of the facility is to attract early stage companies that are working on viable biotechnology ideas in the Kansas City area. Located next to the University of Kansas Medical Center, the KCBDC offers space to conduct research, as well as clinical trial opportunities.
KCBDC is managed by a partnership that includes the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation; the Kansas Technology Enterprise Corporation; KCCatalyst; the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas; Kessinger Consulting Associates and the KUMC Research Institute. With this collaborative arrangement, KCBDC can leverage the resources and experience of the individual members of the management partnership to provide business development services and other support to clients of the KCBDC.