Life Sciences Initiative

ISSUE AREA: JOBS

City: Kansas City, MO

Contact:
Donovan Mouton
Neighborhood Advocate
City of Kansas City
414 East 12th Street
Kansas City, MO 64106
(816) 513-3513
advocate@kcmo.org

Date Published: Summer, 2002

Kansas City is considered America's High-Tech Services Center by those familiar with its life science research. It has recently become one of the nation's leaders in this area and continues growing, according to both the Milken Institute and the American Electronics Association. The evolution of Kansas City into a center for life science research and development is in large part owing to the work of the Kansas City Area Life Sciences Institute (KCALSI) since its inception in 1999.

KCALSI is a non-profit organization, partnered with several stakeholder institutions all sharing in the goal of discovering information and solutions for issues surrounding diseases related to aging, neuro-degenerative and cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and infectious diseases. The Institute has worked hard for the chance to receive the honor of being in the top ten on the list of regionally funded organizations in the life sciences. Serving as broker, facilitator, coordinator and potential funding organization, KCALSI oversees all of the region’s life sciences research, working to actualize the great prospects of Kansas City’s Life Science Institute, as this institute represents a significant part of Kansas City’s future.

A board of directors, president, executive assistant, the Focus Area Advisory Committee, the Scientific Advisory Committee and the eight key stakeholder institutions all make up KCALSI. This group, prompted by the inspiration of the Kansas City Area Development Council and the Civil Council of Greater Kansas City, is responsible for the life sciences initiatives. These initiatives and the national attention the life sciences center has attracted have served, among other things, to strengthen the economy in Kansas City. Not only have life sciences initiatives contributed to a more developed regional economy, they are functioning to improve healthcare for the residents of Kansas City. In addition, the coordination that life sciences initiatives required has sparked interest in business, education, finance, commercial, and residential sectors of the City. Kansas City is receiving overwhelming outside attention from business people, educators, students seeking an education in the sciences, and many others who are attracted to the prospect of scientific developments, technology and the expected revenue.

Unprecedented research and commercialization opportunities are being made possible through the creation of the Stowers Institute for Medical Research and the Kansas City Area Life Sciences Institute, opened in April 2001, which was the result of an investment by James and Virginia Stowers and its $1 billion endowment. Work being done through the life sciences initiative has made Kansas City a leader in life science research, specifically focusing on research in these five areas:

• Cancer
• Human development and aging
• Cardiovascular diseases
• Infectious diseases
• Neurological diseases

Interest in these diseases has led to support for the development of other forms of research including imaging and the analytical sciences. Development of these research pathways, which may lead to findings related to causes, preventions, treatment and cures for disease, are being supported by KCALSI as well.

Beyond the scientific research being conducted, educational opportunities in the field of science have become increasingly available through the life sciences program, leading to the production of more technologically advanced students. These students, once they graduate, are predicted to stay in Kansas City where research and access to technology is strong, reinforcing Kansas City’s technologically savvy workforce.

The life sciences program, as a part of the greater vision for Kansas City, is working to make the City a leading center for technology based business and education. As a result of the life sciences initiative Kansas City is being recognized worldwide as both a leader in biomedical research and as a technology-driven metropolitan center.

Related Resources:

http://www.kclifesciences.org/content/Overview.asp#RandD

http://www.smartkc.com/