Kansas City Is Hub of Animal Health Care

"We're in the middle of cow country and that's what we work with," said Donald Marvin, president and chief executive of IdentiGEN North America. "We receive samples from all over and it's important that those samples get to us in a timely fashion."

Another recent addition is Synbiotics Corp., which makes veterinary tests for such things as heartworm and avian flu. The company announced in August it was moving its headquarters from San Diego to Kansas City.

"Often there's a heightened amount of testing once a company comes up with a cure or vaccine, so being able to team up with other animal health companies is important," said Paul Hayes, the company's chief executive.

Joerg Ohle, president of Bayer's Animal Health division and chairman of the local initiative's advisory board, said state leaders have been receptive to the industry, providing tax and investment incentives.

"They embrace the heritage and are prepared to help me leverage these assets," Ohle said.

He added that as scientists are increasingly finding links and human medical discoveries through treating diseases and disorders in pets, building on animal science will give the two states an edge in the national race to develop bioscience industries.

"The community understands this is within life science," he said. "It's one piece of the puzzle."

___

On the Net:

Animal Health Corridor: http://www.kcanimalhealth.com