Missouri Governor Matt Blunt announced Nov. 7 that IMULAN BioTherapeutics, an emerging animal health company, will relocate its headquarters and operations from Prescott, Ariz., to St. Joseph.

"Our pro-jobs, pro-growth initiatives are attracting new jobs to Missouri and have helped make Missouri a leader in the fields of biotechnology, plant and animal sciences, and other life science endeavors," Gov. Blunt says. "These industries are already providing a significant economic benefit and thousands of high-paying jobs in our state. These fields represent the next great expansion of opportunity for Missourians."

According to the company, the move from Arizona to St. Joseph is in large part due to Gov. Blunt's Missouri Quality Jobs Act and landmark Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative. The company will become the anchor tenant in the new Christopher "Kit" Bond Science and Technology Incubator in St. Joseph. IMULAN plans to establish several new divisions in the coming years and proposes to create several dozen jobs in the biomedical market.

IMULAN's relocation is the first successful recruitment deal utilizing the Missouri Technology Corporation's "Ag Biotech Recruitment Fund," one of 16 projects funded through the innovative Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative, a partnership between the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority and the state. MTC contributed funds to assist with the build-out costs for the incubator for IMULAN.

IMULAN is a privately held bioscience company focused on providing innovative solutions for complex animal diseases. IMULAN provides veterinarians access to conditionally approved products for diseases where no current approved therapy is available. IMULAN's products give animal owners better solutions for their pet's diseases.

The animal health therapeutics and medical device company selected St. Joseph, part of the Kansas City Animal Health Corridor, because of the research collaboration opportunities with the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine and the biggest pool of animal health employee candidates in the world due to the concentration of the industry in the region.

"This is exciting news for St. Joseph and the state of Missouri," says Garry Taylor, interim director for the Department of Economic Development. "Gov. Blunt's focus on helping employers and entrepreneurs create and retain good jobs continues to increase opportunities for working families."

The science and technology incubator is located on the campus of Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph. The facility was funded through a grant from the Economic Development Administration and is a partnership between the city of St. Joseph, Buchanan County, St. Joseph Area Chamber of Commerce and the university. The incubator is part of a larger Missouri initiative to increase the infrastructure to grow the life sciences and animal health industry.