Kansas City Region Launches Contract Research Initiative To Speed The Development Of Health Care Innovation Worldwide

OLATHE, Kan., June 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --  The Kansas Bioscience Authority announced today the creation of BioResearch Central – a newly formed collaboration involving more than 90 contract research organizations and related service providers dedicated to accelerating the development of new medicines and medical devices to improve the health and well-being of patients worldwide.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120606/CG20424LOGO)

BioResearch Central represents a concerted effort by the contract research community in Greater Kansas City to come together to help the pharmaceutical and medical device industries accelerate their pipelines and improve their process for the development of treatments and therapies that will positively impact global health. The initiative is launching at an important time, as companies increase outsourcing activity to speed the development of new medicines and devices for chronic and emerging diseases while lowering health care costs.

"The formation of BioResearch Central helps to reinforce drug and device developers' recognition that our region is able to meet their outsourcing needs," said Tom Krol, director of commercialization for the KBA. "We have a diverse network of CROs and service providers in one central location who generate an estimated $1 billion in revenue every year and employ more than 9,000 people. We expect BioResearch Central will facilitate continued growth for this important sector."

The KBA commissioned Tufts University to conduct a study quantifying the region's CRO and related services assets in the Kansas City area and in competing markets nationwide. The study found that the Kansas City region's more than 90 CROs and related service providers possess tremendous breadth and depth of expertise – one of the most experienced CRO networks across the country. These CROs are equipped to support both established companies and startups in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries. The members of BioResearch Central are experienced in the full range of bioresearch services, including discovery, formulation, toxicology, bioanalytics, clinical trials, regulatory and commercial support.  

In recent years, the 16 largest global pharmaceutical firms have all enlisted BioResearch Central companies for contract research services. In addition, BioResearch Central companies have contributed to the successful development of more than 60 pharmaceutical products currently being used to treat patients with a variety of conditions.

"The Greater Kansas City region is a proven destination for pharmaceutical research looking to advance their products through the development process," said Terry Osborn, PhD, MBA CEO of KCAS Bioanalytical Laboratories, a Shawnee firm that provides services to drug, biologics and medical device companies. "CROs have contributed to the success of an array of innovative health care products, and the establishment of BioResearch Central will undoubtedly support more innovation, job creation and economic growth in Kansas City's health care community."

About the KBA

The Kansas Bioscience Authority was created by the Kansas Economic Growth Act of 2004 to expand the state's research capacity and bioscience clusters; support the growth of bioscience startups; and stimulate bioscience business expansion and attraction. To learn more, visit www.kansasbioauthority.org.

About BioResearch Central

BioResearch Central is a collaboration of more than 90 contract research organizations and related service providers employing 9,000 people in the Kansas City region. It is supported with efforts from the Kansas Bioscience Authority, Kansas City Area Life Sciences Institute, Kansas City Area Development Council, Kansas BIO, MOBIO, Missouri Technology Corp., Civic Council of Greater Kansas City, local economic development organizations, and the contract research organizations.

SOURCE BioResearch Central