The Kansas City region is a global leader at the nexus of human and animal health benefiting all our citizens and the economy.

Our Mission

The Kansas City region is a global leader at the nexus of human and animal health, and BioNexus KC plays a central role in advancing that leadership. As a regional convener and catalyst for life sciences innovation, BioNexus KC is uniquely positioned to promote scientific advancement and strengthen the impact of the region’s research ecosystem.

BioNexus KC stimulates collaboration, accelerates the translation of emerging technologies from concept to real-world application, and creates opportunities at the intersection of:

– Human and Animal Health
– Urban and Rural Health
– Healthcare and Information Technology
– Academia and Industry
– Kansas and Missouri

Through strategic partnerships, data-driven initiatives, and support for regional innovation, BioNexus KC advances life sciences research that drives scientific progress and innovation.

Our Programs

BioNexus KC houses Digital Health KC and the KC BioHub and is a partner of RareKC. Together, these programs strengthen collaboration, support innovation, and help build a stronger life sciences and health innovation ecosystem across the Kansas City region.

Each initiative brings together leaders from across industry, academia, and healthcare to solve real-world challenges. By connecting people and resources, they help drive meaningful progress for the KC region.

Strategic Initiatives

The regional vision developed through the assessment process states, “The Kansas City region is a global leader at the nexus of human and animal health, benefiting all our citizens and the economy.” These nexus opportunities will be different for each strategic area. They will likely range from using naturally occurring cancer in dogs for accelerating human discoveries to advancing our strength in health IT and outcomes research.

Four areas of scientific strength were identified: animal health, cancer research and care, neuroscience, and health IT and outcomes research.

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Our History

BioNexus KC has played a key role in advancing life sciences initiatives and milestones across the region, bringing organizations together through collaboration and innovation. The organization is proud to support this work across the ecosystem.

Our Leadership

Our Staff
Board of Directors
Institutional Advisory Committee
Strategic Partners
Stakeholder Institutions

History

  1. 1999
  2. 2000
  3. 2001
  4. 2001
  5. 2001
  6. 2003
  7. 2005
  8. 2005
  9. 2005
  10. 2005
  11. 2006
  12. 2006
  13. 2006
  14. 2009
  15. 2012
  16. 2015
  17. 2015
  18. 2016
  19. 2018
  20. 2019
  21. 2023
  22. 2023
  23. 2025

  1. Life Sciences Task Force Created by KCADC and Civic Council; Resolves to Form Kansas City Area Life Sciences Institute Association

    January 1, 1999

    Subsequently, the Kansas City Area Life Sciences Institute (KCALSI) was created to develop a sustainable economic development advantage through successful implementation of the region’s life sciences plan. The plan identified several strategies from increasing life sciences research capacity, to commercializing products developed from the research, to attracting new life sciences companies to the region.

  2. First Life Sciences Business Plan Completed

    January 1, 2000

    In 2000, KCALSI accepted the challenge of helping the region to become a nationally known center of established, world-class life sciences companies, private and academic research institutions, and emerging, entrepreneurial companies

  3. Kansas City Proteomics Consortium Established to Build Regional Proteomics Capabilities

    January 1, 2001

    The Kansas City Proteomics Consortium (KCPC) was created with a $1 million challenge grant from the Cray Foundation.  The KCPC represented a collaboration between eight stakeholders, for whom KCALSI secured $12.3 million in federal funds and donor grants to equip these stakeholders’ laboratories significantly expanding regional proteomics capabilities and capacity.

  4. Kansas City Area Life Sciences Institute Launched

    March 1, 2001

    The Kansas City Area Life Sciences Institute Association renamed to Kansas City Area Life Sciences Institute 501(C)(3) and operations launched. KCALSI was initially supported by 8 stakeholders: 

    • Children's Mercy
    • Saint Luke's Health System
    • University of Kansas
    • University of Kansas Medical Center
    • Kansas City University 
    • MRIGlobal
    • Truman Medical Centers 

  5. Institutional Advisory Committee Established for Stakeholder Communications/Input

    January 1, 2002

    The Institutional Advisory Committee (IAC) was formed to provide technical, scientific input regarding regional research initiatives to advise the KCALSI Board of Directors. The IAC also served as a critical communication channel between KCALSI and the stakeholder institutions.

  6. Inaugural Annual Dinner

    September 18, 2003

    With the support of the Kansas City Area Development Council, KCALSI held its inaugural Annual Dinner at the Intercontinental Hotel. The initial speaker was Dr. Webster Cavenee Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, San Diego, and KCALSI Scientific Advisory Committee member.

  7. MU and K-State Offer Support as Stakeholders

    January 1, 2005

    The University of Missouri and Kansas State University are added as stakeholders. 

  8. Kansas City Science Initiative Launched

    April 1, 2005

    The Kansas City Science initiative (KCSI), a program utilizing research-based, hands-on, inquiry-based curricula combined with teacher professional development, to enhance STEM education for students from grades K- 8. Nicole Riegel, formerly manager of the Bayer “Making Science Make Sense” program, was hired to manage the KCSI. The program spun out as SySTEMic Innovations in 2010.

  9. First Strategic Assessment, "Kansas City Life Sciences & Convergent Technologies Road Map”

    July 1, 2005

    KCALSI engaged Richard Seline from New Economy Strategies to assess the region’s life sciences and technology assets This data-driven process tracked every federal research dollar supporting life sciences research to identify research strengths. Six “Hot Teams,” comprised of academic, business, and civic leaders were formed to develop business plans for the following scientific areas:
    1. Animal Health
    2. Bio-Pharma Drug Discovery
    3. Cardiovascular/Tissue Engineering
    4. Neurosciences
    5. Oncology
    6. Personalized Medicine/Health Care

  10. Strategic Assessment Identified a Regional Strength in Animal Health

    September 18, 2005

    The 2005 Strategic Assessment identified a regional strength in animal health. With an investment from Bayer Animal Health, the Kansas City Animal Health Corridor was formed. The KCAHC was a collaboration between KCALSI, Kansas City Area Development Corporation, and the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce.

  11. EDA Funded Regional Life Sciences Incubator Assessment

    January 1, 2006

    The EDA funded the Regional Life Sciences Incubator assessment to determine the best location for a regional incubator. Determining the appropriate location for the development of a wet lab incubator was a key addition for growing and diversifying the region’s life sciences cluster. The funded study assessed the feasibility, site selection, and optimal characteristics of a wet laboratory incubator to support biotechnology company incubation and recruitment. Based on the results of the study, KUMC obtained a second EDA grant to convert the Briedenthal building to a wet lab incubator currently known as the KUMC Business & Technology Business Center.

  12. Animal Health Corridor Established

    July 1, 2006

    The Animal Health Corridor established with  Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC) and Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce (GKCCC).

  13. KCALSI Identifies NBAF Opportunity

    September 18, 2006

    KCALSI identified In 2006 the NBAF opportunity and formed regional partnerships charged with developing expressions of interest to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). KCALSI coordinated the submission of regional proposals – one focused on Leavenworth and the other on Manhattan.

  14. National Bio-Agro Defense Facility Announced

    January 1, 2009

    The Department of Homeland Security announces National Bio-Agro Defense Facility to be built in Manhattan, KS. 

  15. Wayne Carter Named President

    January 1, 2012

    Wayne O. Carter, DVM, PhD, DACVIM hired as President of Kansas City Area Life Sciences Institute. 

  16. Path to 2025 Completed

    January 1, 2015

    KCALSI Strategic Assessment completed, "Path to 2025".

  17. First Midwest Bioinformatics Conference

    April 11, 2015

    First Midwest Bioinformatics Conference. 

  18. Collaborate2Cure Launched

    September 1, 2016

    Collaborate2Cure Launched.

  19. KCALSI Renamed BioNexus KC

    March 7, 2018

    KCALSI Renamed BioNexus KC. 

  20. BioNexus KC Announces Dennis Ridenour as CEO

    February 1, 2019

  21. Digital Health KC Launches

    May 11, 2023

  22. KC Region Established as National Tech Hub

    October 23, 2023

  23. BioNexus KC Celebrates 25 Years

    November 13, 2025

  24. BioNexus KC Formally Partners with RareKC

    June 17, 2026

BioNexus KC is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization governed by its President, the Board of Directors and the Board’s four permanent committees.