Kansas state officials
announced the signing of an agreement that will bring a
bioprocessing facility for plant-made pharmaceuticals to
Junction City. State officials said the opening of the plant
by Ventria Bioscience
of Sacramento, California, is a significant advancement in
Kansas' involvement in bioscience.
"Agriculture has long been the
backbone of the Kansas economy, so it's appropriate we would
embrace this opportunity to make the most of scientific
advances in plant-made pharmaceuticals," said Kansas
Governor Kathleen Sebelius in a statement. "I welcome
Ventria Bioscience to Kansas and look forward to their
contributions to the health of children worldwide."
Ventria is developing
products that enhance human health. A recent clinical study
showed that Ventria's product helped reduce the duration of
diarrhea in children by 30 percent, from 5.2 days to 3.7
days, as part of an oral rehydration solution. Childhood
diarrhea is the second leading killer of children, claiming
1.9 million lives annually according to the World Health
Organization.
The facility, to be located
in Junction City, will process a variety of rice developed
by Ventria. Proteins extracted from the rice will be
incorporated into oral rehydration solutions to address
childhood diarrhea. Ventria is also developing other
products using these proteins. The rice itself is then
discarded.
Junction City led the
effort to attract Ventria to Kansas.
"The bioprocessing facility
is an exciting opportunity for new jobs in Junction City and
is expected to contribute $40 million to the Kansas economy
by the time it is fully operational," said Junction City
Mayor Terry Heldstab.
Farmers are expected to be
among the project's major beneficiaries, as those who grow
the rice that supplies the facility can earn a premium
compared to their next most lucrative crop, said Kansas
Agriculture Secretary Adrian Polansky.
"This is an important
development for Kansas farmers, who stand to benefit from
the additional income," he said. "They also have the
satisfaction of knowing they are helping provide affordable
healthcare products to children who desperately need it."
Ventria CEO Scott Deeter
said the decision to establish this part of his company's
operations in Kansas was the result of an impressive,
coordinated effort by key players at the state level, as
well as on the local level in Junction City.
"The new bioprocessing
facility in Junction City will provide the infrastructure to
deliver affordable healthcare solutions on a global basis to
those who need it most," said Deeter. "In working with
Kansas to choose this location, we have been extremely
impressed by the state's clear commitment to biotechnology,
its support of the growing field of plant-made
pharmaceuticals, and its understanding of how this field
will improve healthcare for all."
The effort to attract
Ventria to Kansas involved a number of players, including
Governor Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Agriculture Adrian
Polansky, the Kansas Department of Commerce, Junction City
and Geary County, Kansas Technology Enterprise Corporation
(KTEC), KansasBio, Kansas State University and Kansas Farm
Bureau.
"This announcement today is
very satisfying, as KTEC and our partners have worked for
over a year to bring Ventria's operation to Kansas," said
Tracy Taylor, President and CEO of KTEC. "Strategically,
Ventria provides an outstanding opportunity for Kansas,
given our agricultural strengths and focus on the
biosciences."
