Stason Pharmaceuticals to establish new lab at BTBC at KU

LAWRENCE — A California-based pharmaceutical company has established a new lab on the west campus of the University of Kansas.

Stason Pharmaceuticals, a pharmaceutical products manufacturer and distributor based out of Irvine, California, has begun leasing space in the Bioscience & Technology Business Center at KU, effective this week.

The new location will serve as a testing lab for Stason-manufactured pharmaceuticals and begin operations with one employee, likely growing to three employees within a year. These positions will be laboratory managers and technicians. Eventually, the company plans to expand the lab to include personnel responsible for Stason's commercial and service efforts, university collaborations and industry partnerships. More broadly, the company has indicated an interest in moving portions of its warehousing and distribution space, as well some company management and operations staff, to Lawrence.

Stason becomes the 15th tenant company in the BTBC Main Facility on west campus and the 35th tenant in the BTBC system, which includes the Main Facility, the Expansion Facility on Wakarusa Drive and the BTBC at KU Medical Center facility. These 35 companies collectively employ more than 180 employees with an aggregate payroll of more than $10 million.

“This is a terrific win for the BTBC, the University of Kansas, the city of Lawrence and the entire Kansas City region,” said G.R. Underwood, president and chief operating officer of the BTBC. “Stason is the latest company to realize the advantages of locating their operations in the BTBC, where they can access business development services, highly specialized space and unfettered access to University of Kansas scientists and students. Stason embodies what we envisioned when we created the BTBC — companies coming to Lawrence to create high-tech, high-paying jobs that grow the economy.”

Stason Pharmaceuticals is no stranger to the BTBC. Over the past two-and-a-half years, Stason has located several affiliate companies into BTBC facilities, including Stason Animal Health, CK9, IMT Labs and KC Specialty Therapeutics.

“Adding Stason Pharmaceuticals to BTBC locations in Lawrence and at KU Medical Center brings a great combination of human and animal health to the growing BTBC system,” said Larry McElwain, CEO of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce.

“Stason has enjoyed excellent success building relationships in the region, and we're very excited about this new expansion facility,” said Harry Fan, CEO of Stason Pharmaceuticals. “It provides us an important base in the region, and we expect it to become a strategic asset in our corporate development. The BTBC at KU is the optimal place to expand our operations. They provide valuable relationships with the University of Kansas and the pharmaceutical industry, as well as the type of customized services we need to grow. Additionally, Lawrence is great location to access expertise, talent and a pipeline of innovative products and services.”