The Institute for Industrial and Applied Life Sciences, a public/private cooperative effort to enhance workforce and economic development in the Midwest region, has renamed itself Innovation Stockyard.
“The new name reflects our continuing mission of nurturing innovation,” said Ronan Molloy, Innovation Stockyard president. “It fits especially well with our emphasis on animal health products. Entrepreneurs can bring their new ideas into our ‘stockyard’ and our team will help prepare them for market.”
Innovation Stockyard specializes in animal health, but can provide support services for any idea. The team can help test and develop the idea and assist with a business plan, marketing, grant writing, product distribution, securing capital and more. Innovation Stockyard operates the Kit Bond Science and Technology Incubator on the campus of Missouri Western State University. The 25,000-square-foot incubator includes office space and a community laboratory space for all clients, complete with science officer and laboratory manager.
“We’re pleased that we’ve been able to add a full-time science officer to help our clients evaluate and test the feasibility of their products and make sure their test results are accurate,” Molloy said.
Before becoming the Innovation Stockyard’s science officer, Dr. Tammy Platt was assistant professor of animal sciences at Morehead State University and worked in pharmaceutical sales for WALCO International. Her background in research, academic and sales offers a well-rounded perspective of all aspects of the animal health industry.
Laboratory training is also part of Innovation Stockyard’s mission. The team provides training to local high school and college graduates to help them gain the skills necessary to work in various industries, and works with local businesses to provide training to existing or incoming employees.
Innovation Stockyard is a partnership between Missouri Western State University, Buchanan County, the City of St. Joseph, the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce and multiple private partners, including AG Processing, AgriLabs, Bayer HealthCare Animal Health, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc., Clipper Distributing, Mosaic Life Care, Nestlé Purina PetCare Company and the St. Joseph News-Press.
Current tenants of the Bond Incubator include the United States Animal Health Association, Method Genetics, New Functional Polymers and Sopharmia.
For more information about the Innovation Stockyard, call 816-749-4012 or visit www.innovationstockyard.com.
