Area Development
Jinyu Bio-technology Co. Ltd, the largest animal vaccine company in China, will open a research lab and offices in the Kansas State University Office Park, on the north side of the campus in Manhattan, Kansas.

Officials for the company said that this is the first time it has established facilities in the United States. The company will focus on the research and design of vaccines for swine and cattle, as well as developing educational materials for Chinese companies and veterinarians.

Jinyu's Manhattan operations will be located in Phase II of the Kansas State University Office Park, which is scheduled to break ground in July. The company will begin operations in 2018.

Chongyu Zhang, Jinyu Chairman, said the company's decision was based on a belief that Manhattan and Kansas State University are in the forefront of animal health research that is relevant to Chinese animal agriculture and the world.

"Manhattan is the home to many world renowned scientists in the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Biosecurity Research Institute and the future National Bio and Agro-defense Facility,” Zhang said.

He added that Jinyu is growing quickly internationally and is looking forward to developing long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with partners in the region. The company may add manufacturing facilities in the future.

"When university-focused companies like Jinyu Bio-technology locate adjacent to K-State's campus, partnerships develop with faculty expertise and research to promote real-world application and discovery," said Greg Willems, Kansas State University Foundation president and chief executive officer. "The K-State Office Park advances opportunity for these current and future collaborations to boldly move K-State and the needs of a global community forward."

Jinyu plans to employ four to six scientists, according to the University. The company researched the Manhattan location for nearly two years and was drawn to its connection with the Kansas City Animal Health Corridor, which stretches from Manhattan to Columbia, Missouri.

"The Kansas City Animal Health Corridor's international reputation is a strategic advantage for more and more animal health companies," said Kimberly Young, corridor President. "We are thrilled to welcome Jinyu to our corridor community and look forward to the company's leadership and effort."

"Jinyu has state-of-the-art pilot production and manufacturing facilities, strong financial support for research and development, and great market penetration in China," said Jishu Shi, director of the U.S.-China Center for Animal Health. “This partnership is the first for K-State with a Chinese animal health company. It will accelerate the commercialization of novel discovery and development ideas generated by K-State scientists."

Lyle Butler, President of the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce said, "Our partnerships with the university family, the state of Kansas and the Kansas City Animal Health Corridor were critical in attracting Jinyu to the state. Jinyu's decision to locate in Manhattan is yet another example of the successes that can come from our shared university/community economic development strategy to attract high-pay, knowledge-based jobs and grow the regional economy through the leverage of Kansas State University's research and talent.”