Jun 24, 2025
The International Division of the Kansas Department of Commerce, in collaboration with the University of Kansas, Kansas State University and the Greater Manhattan Economic Partnership, recently hosted an international delegation for the One Health Industry Engagement Days. The event highlighted Kansas’ prominent Animal Health Corridor, which is home to more than 300 animal health companies and ventures.
The two-day event allowed Kansas leaders in business and education to showcase the expanding opportunities for industry engagement and focused on strengthening relationships with global partners in the human and animal health industries. These critical sectors contribute more than $2.2 billion to the state’s GDP annually.
“Kansas is a powerhouse in health and biosciences — including pharmaceuticals, biologics, biosecurity, diagnostics and treatment,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Whether it’s being a home to multinational companies, attracting investment, building new trading partnerships or meeting needs in animal and human health — international engagement is unlocking new potential and inviting extraordinary prosperity for Kansas and our business partners.”
The International Division hosted a delegation of Consul Generals, diplomatic officers and international economic development partners from Brazil, Czechia, Germany, Ireland, Mexico and Taiwan.
“This event allowed partners in the human and animal health sectors from across the world to connect with Kansas research institutions, learn about our state’s innovation ecosystem and explore the wealth of opportunities here in the Animal Health Corridor,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Hosting this distinguished international delegation provided a space for us to showcase why Kansas is the prime location for their future investment.”
The event highlighted Kansas’ educational institutions conducting world-class research and development — and the international business ecosystem that has uplifted the state’s strengths in the human and animal health sectors. The goals of the engagement included:
In collaboration with the University of Kansas and Kansas State University, attendees were given the opportunity to tour educational research labs and facilities — learning about advancing technologies and current work taking place in the human and animal health sectors. Participants also visited research institutes and innovation parks to meet with industry-specific companies.
“The One Health Industry Engagement Days provided a collaborative opportunity to welcome new global partners to Kansas and show how Kansas State University is a leader in the intersection of animal and human health as well as biosecurity and biomanufacturing,” K-State Executive Vice President for External Engagement and Chief of Staff Marshall Stewart said. “As a next-generation land-grant university, we seek out engagement that supports our local communities and builds the regional and state economy. We know that if we do good in Kansas, we can do good for the world.”
On the final day of the event, attendees visited the State Capitol for a Diplomatic Networking Brunch, followed by a tour of Hill’s Pet Nutrition research facility in Topeka. Participants also visited the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City and learned about important research and workforce development efforts happening at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC), before attending the closing reception with business leaders in the local community.
“As one of the nation’s leading research institutions, the University of Kansas strives to fulfill its mission of education, service and discovery while also driving economic growth and job creation in Kansas,” KU Associate Vice Chancellor for Economic Development Tricia Bergman said. “The One Health Industry Engagement Days event was a terrific opportunity for KU to show how we can partner with industry leaders in health- and science-related fields to pursue new technologies and solutions that benefit the world.”
The Animal Health Corridor, extending from Manhattan to Columbia, Mo., is the single largest concentration of animal health interests in the world. Recent successes, such as Merck Animal Health’s announcement to invest $895 million expanding its manufacturing and research and development facilities in De Soto, demonstrate the ongoing and expanding potential for continued growth.
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