BioKansas - Kansas Bioscience Organization

11/12/2025

*Transparency, Policy, and Patient Impact*

At AdAstra BIO, we’re dedicated to ensuring that life science innovation and policy work hand in hand to strengthen patient access and ecosystem sustainability.

This week, patient advocates and policy leaders at the BIO Patient Advocacy Changemaker Event (PACE) called for greater transparency in the Drug Pricing Program emphasizing that its original intent was to help patients in need, not expand provider profits.

“The intention was really for the savings to help safety net hospitals bolster access and further serve vulnerable patients,” shared Anna Hyde of the Arthritis Foundation.

“Transparency seems to be where the oxygen is right now,” added Brian Connell of Blood Cancer United.

As BIO noted:

“Regulators and policymakers must reassess whether the program is meeting not just its original intent, but the broader needs of Americans.”

At AdAstra BIO, we believe that advocacy begins with accountability and that programs like 340B must evolve with clarity, data, and community collaboration to truly serve patients.

📰 Read the full article on https://ow.ly/uTiV50XqAFT: https://ow.ly/TauX50XqAFU

Photo from https://www.mhalink.org/340b/

11/06/2025

Together, BioKansas and AdAstra BIO are working to build the next generation of biotech talent and advocacy leadership that will make the nation look to and ask:
👉 “What are they doing to create this incredible boom in biomanufacturing and innovation?”

Yesterday’s joint BioKansas + AdAstra BIO Board Retreat was an incredible success!

We came together to strengthen our shared vision for Kansas as a national hub for biomanufacturing and biotechnology talent and the conversations were powerful.

🔹 We discussed how critical it is to ensure our future workforce is job-ready, trained, and certified right out of school.
🔹 AdAstra BIO will soon launch a new online policy forum. A dedicated space for our members to discuss current bills, regulations, and federal updates impacting our industry.
🔹 Through this forum, members will receive weekly policy insights, discuss strategy, and collaborate on how we can best educate legislators about how key policies affect our employers, economy, and growth potential here in Kansas.

We also explored the development of Heartland Bio Innovation, an exciting initiative that will connect with students even before high school to show them the real-world impact and career opportunities within biotechnology.

10/21/2025

Join us and our partners at ISPE Midwest and BioKansas for a career development event built for young professionals in pharma and life sciences.

Expect expert insights, open networking, and a little Kansas flair — Jack Stack BBQ, local drinks, and great company.

Let’s keep growing the ’s biotech and pharma talent pipeline, one connection at a time.

📅 Oct 23 | 5–8 PM | K-State Olathe
🎟️https://bit.ly/ISPECareerPanel_October2025

10/11/2025

💚 🧠💚We join millions around the world in recognizing World Mental Health Day.

As a team that supports innovators, scientists, and entrepreneurs, we know that high-pressure environments can take a toll.

Mental health fuels creativity, focus, and resilience, The very things that drive discovery. Let’s continue to foster workplaces that make mental well-being a priority, not an afterthought.

10/08/2025

Great conversations, great company.
We had an incredible small group at happy hour last night!
In just a couple of hours, we were able to:
💡 Dive into workforce challenges and what Kansas needs to attract more life-science companies from outside the state.
🤝 Reconnect with an old member and welcome them back into the community. Not only that but has a half dozen introductions to make to us to get involved with AdAstra BIO.
🌱 Introduce two members who are already shaping what looks like a powerful new partnership.
📅 Talk through 2026 planning, including quarterly roundtable discussions that are already in the works.

Nights like these remind us how valuable real conversation can be when ideas, people, and shared goals come together to build something bigger for Kansas life sciences.

10/07/2025

Don’t Forget — We’re in Topeka Today!

Join AdAstra BIO for a casual Pop-Up Happy Hour this Tuesday, October 7th from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM at Blue Moose Bar & Grill, Topeka!

Come grab a drink, share updates, and connect with our network in a relaxed setting. Whether you’re a member, partner, or just curious about what we’re doing in Kansas’ life-science ecosystem, we’d love to see you there!

📍 Blue Moose Bar & Grill — Topeka
🕓 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
💬 No RSVP needed — just stop by!

10/01/2025

Test

09/15/2025

Brews & Breakthroughs returns with another powerful community discussion, bringing science and society together.
We invite you to Cinderblock Brewery on September 22 (5:30–7:00pm) for a free, open discussion: “Brain Bioenergetics on Tap” with Matthew Taylor, PhD (KU Medical Center).

Come learn how fueling your brain can play a role in the fight against Alzheimer’s all while enjoying good conversation, local brews, and light snacks.

📍 Cinderblock Brewery
🗓️ Sept. 22 | 5:30–7:00pm
💡 Speaker: Matthew Taylor, PhD
✅ Free Event
RSVP via the QR code on the flyer!

We’re proud to support BioNexus KC, RiBS, and Cinderblock Brewery in connecting science, community, and innovation right here in the region. One conversation (and one pint!) at a time.

09/09/2025

We’re thrilled to celebrate one of our amazing members, Mosaic Diagnostics, a global pioneer in specialty diagnostic testing headquartered right here in Overland Park, KS, as they announce an expansion of their executive leadership team.

Joining CEO Scott Mattivi are:
Dr. Kurt Woeller, DO – Chief Medical Officer
Crystal Marti – Chief Operating Officer
Mike Bunkers – Senior Vice President, Sales

Together, these leaders bring more than 70 years of combined expertise across clinical care, innovation, operations, and commercial growth. Their appointment marks a pivotal moment as MosaicDX continues to accelerate innovation in functional and integrative medicine worldwide empowering practitioners and patients with advanced, science-based diagnostic solutions.

This expansion highlights the strength of Kansas as a hub for life sciences and specialty diagnostics, showcasing how local companies are leading on a global scale.

Read the full press release here! https://mosaicdx.com/resource/press-release-mosaic-diagnostics-expands-leadership-team-as-functional-medicine-accelerates-globally/

Press Release: Mosaic Diagnostics Expands Leadership Team as Functional Medicine Accelerates Globally OVERLAND PARK, KS, UNITED STATES, September 3, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Mosaic Diagnostics (MosaicDX), a global pioneer in specialty diagnostic testing,

09/06/2025

**ATTENTION** BioKansas & Ad Astra Bio Members: Discover Exclusive Cost Savings During BIO Savings Week!
We’re partnering with to help life science companies like yours scale smarter without stretching your budget.
Join us for BIO Savings Week! a free, five-day webinar series designed to highlight powerful cost-savings opportunities across lab, HR, and tech resources.

What’s in it for you?
✅ Learn how to cut costs without cutting corners
✅ Hear real member success stories
✅ Explore tools & strategies from trusted BIO Business Solutions® partners
✅ Live Q&A every day

📅 When: September 8–12, 2025
🕑 Time: 1–2 PM CST daily
💻 Where: Register here --> https://www.bio.org/webinars/bio-benefits/bio-savings-week

🎟️ Cost: FREE for BIO and state life science association members

Day 1: Facilities & Regulatory Services

· Partners: American Laboratory Trading (ALT), SU Group, PSC Biotech

Day 2: Finance & Insurance Efficiencies -

· Partners: Brex, ADP Tax Credits, Aon Risk

Day 3: Software & Executive Strategy

· Partners: ShareVault, BiotechExec, PSC Software

Day 4: Ops, Logistics & Travel

· Partners: ODP, UPS, Corporate Traveler

Day 5: BBS Overview & Avantor Overview

· Partners: Avantor
Let’s unlock more value together. Don’t miss out!

08/23/2025

🏈College football is back! Best of luck to K-State and Iowa State as they kick off the 2025 season at the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin. Kickoff: 11:00 AM CT. From the Midwest to the Emerald Isle....EMAW!! 🏈

08/18/2025

✨ Thank You for an Incredible Innovation Festival 2025! ✨

A huge thank you to everyone who attended, spoke, volunteered, sponsored, and supported Innovation Festival last week. Your energy, engagement, and insights made the event truly special. The talks were inspiring, the conversations were rich, and the connections made will carry far beyond this one weekend.

As a team, we learned a lot from hosting this year’s festival and we’re already thinking about how to make the next one even better. From exploring ways to create more intimate settings for conversations, to fine-tuning the flow of the event, we’re listening and taking notes. This was the first Innovation Festival for most of our team (Kevin’s second!), and we couldn’t be prouder of what came together.

Thank you again for being part of it. We can’t wait to see where the ideas and collaborations sparked here will lead and we’re already looking forward to raising the bar for the next Innovation Festival. - AdAstra BIO & BioKansas Team