KU News Release

OncImmune to locate North American headquarters in Kansas City area

Chancellor Hemenway talks with Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.

LENEXA — A European-based life sciences company will locate its North American headquarters and commercial lab in Lenexa, a move designed to bring it closer to leading breast cancer researchers at the University of Kansas.

The company, OncImmune, will develop and commercialize technology that has detected breast cancer up to four years earlier than a mammogram in initial evaluations.

“Nearly 213,000 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in American women in 2006 alone,” said Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. “For those women and their families, time is of the essence and early detection can save lives. I’m proud Kansas will be a part of these life-saving efforts.”

OncImmune will create 120 new jobs within the next four years in addition to 20 new positions at KU. It also will invest $30 million into area lab operations.

OncImmune was founded in 2003 to commercialize technology developed in the laboratories of John Robertson, a professor of surgery at Nottingham University in England.

Dr. Tony Barnes, CEO of OncImmune (and former employee of Marion Labs), said, “Professor Robertson always knew that the product would have to come to the United States to be commercialized. The medical community here is the most aggressive at adapting new technology.”

After evaluating possible sites for almost a year, the rich cluster of assets and opportunities for collaboration in the Kansas City area set it apart from other regions said Barnes.

“KU’s commitment to developing a comprehensive cancer center, the cooperation of IBT reference laboratories, Missouri’s medical imaging programs and just the focus of the biosciences community here put Kansas City at the top of our list.”

OncImmune will collaborate with the KU’s School of Pharmacy, Higuchi Biosciences Center and medical center to transfer its breast cancer technology to other forms of cancer such as lung, prostate and colon.

“Oncimmune is a perfect fit with KU’s research strengths and this partnership will further progress toward developing a world-class cancer center,” said Chancellor Robert Hemenway. “This shows that the University of Kansas, working with area partners, can unleash huge opportunities for the region in basic life sciences research and the translation of that research for humanitarian and economic gains.”

OncImmune will designate Lenexa as its North American headquarters. It will share commercial laboratory space with IBT, a reference laboratory already located in Lenexa.

“OncImmune is exactly the type of company the Kansas Biosciences Authority was created to bring to Kansas,” said Clay Blair, chairman of the Kansas Biosciences Authority. “OncImmune will grow IBT, increase research in the state and locate its world-class company here.”

Lenexa Mayor Michael Boehm said, “We are pleased to welcome OncImmune to the Lenexa business community. The large concentration of commercial labs and life sciences companies already located within Lenexa will be a great asset to the company as it grows its operation.”

“The region is very excited to welcome OncImmune,” said Bill Duncan, president of the Kansas City Area Life Sciences Institute. “It again points to the collaborative spirit and many attributes available here for life sciences companies.”

"We’re pleased to support this business attraction effort both financially and in expertise,” said Tracy Taylor, president and CEO of KTEC. “It’s a small world, as our vice president worked at Marion Labs with Tony Barnes, now CEO of OncImmune.”

“OncImmune could have located its North American headquarters anywhere in the country, but it chose KC,” said Bob Marcusse, president and CEO of the Kansas City Area Development Council. “We’re proud to be their U.S. home as they work to make a positive difference in the lives of women and their families.”

The Kansas City Area Development Council was proud to partner with the following organizations to bring OncImmune to the Kansas City region: Kansas Biosciences Authority; Kansas Department of Commerce; Kansas Technology Enterprise Corporation; Kansas City Area Life Sciences Institute; Lenexa Economic Development Council; City of Lenexa; University of Kansas; University of Kansas Medical Center; and University of Missouri.

-30-

The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.