New animal health technologies on display include antibiotic-free drugs for livestock, stem cell products for bone healing and mobile devices to monitor pet fitness
Kansas City, Mo. – July 31, 2014 – The Kansas City Animal Health Corridor will host up to 20 emerging animal health companies from across North America at the sixth annual KC Animal Health Investment Forum on Tuesday, Aug. 26. The event is the world’s only full day investment forum exclusively for early- and mid-stage companies in the animal health sector.
More than a dozen companies serving the animal health industry will present business plans and technologies to potential investors. Innovations include antibiotic-free drugs for food animals, stem cell products for bone healing, mobile devices to monitor pet fitness and activity, new vaccines for emerging diseases, and a cold plasma treatment for wound healing.
Presenting companies are seeking $500,000 to $20 million in funding and have revenue projections of $20 million within five to seven years. Finalists were selected by a national committee of experts in agricultural and animal health investment opportunities. Forum attendees will include representatives from venture capital funds, investment firms, corporate R&D and business development professionals.
“This year’s selection of presenting companies is a great representation of the future of the global animal health industry,” said Rich Shuler, president and CEO, Shuler Consulting Services, who served on the selection committee. “Many of the emerging technologies we are seeing today are coming from new sources that view animal health as an exciting opportunity for innovation and investment. Entrepreneurs are developing technologies basedonconsumers’, veterinarians’, pet owners’, and livestock producers’ needs that aren’t currently being fully met.”
Companies presenting at previous KC Animal Health Investment Forums have raised more than $130 million, and many have received licensing agreements and distribution contracts. Recent success stories include Aratana Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: PETX), VaxLiant™, Jaguar Animal Health, SmartVet and KAVB Farm.
“Home to Bayer’s animal health division, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Merck Animal Health, Ceva, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica and more, the KC Animal Health Corridor is an epicenter for established animal health companies,” said Kimberly Young, vice president of bioscience development for the Kansas City Area Development Council. “By supporting emerging companies, entrepreneurs and technologies, the Investment Forum furthers our mission to become a global center for animal health innovation.”
The Forum will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Kansas City Convention Center Grand Ballroom in Kansas City, Mo. Qualified investors can contact Kimberly Young for a list of presenting companies.
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About the KC Animal Health Corridor
The KC Animal Health Corridor, anchored by Manhattan, Kan., and Columbia, Mo., is home to more than 300 animal health companies, representing the largest concentration in the world. For more information, visit KCanimalhealth.com
