Imagine,
at ku innovation park
bioscience and technology business park in lawrence, ks
Supporting the next generation of innovative business growth.
KU Innovation Park is a growing community of innovation, entrepreneurship, and commercialization. We offer a variety of enterprise services for technology and bioscience businesses at any level, from concept to industry.
what we do
Support Startups
We support entrepreneurs as they take the first steps and hit the ground running by connecting them to the resources they need.
Help Businesses Grow
We provide strategic business services, customizable space, and a broad network of connections to help businesses scale and become sustainable.
Bridge the Commercialization Gap
We team up with our partners at KU to help researchers successfully get inventions and new technologies to market.
Develop a Diversified Economy
In collaboration with our stakeholders, we are building a more robust and resilient economy for Lawrence, Douglas County, and the region.
Provide Flexible Options
The Park offers access to shared workspaces through its virtual tenancy program for early-stage technology and bioscience companies not ready for physical lab or office space.
KU Innovation Park’s Economic Impacts
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company spotlights
On a trip to Kentucky, Chris Depcik stood in a warehouse surrounded by rows of whiskey barrels and started thinking about the science behind the spirits, asking a question only a researcher might: How can different distilleries just down the road from each other create such unique products? That scientific curiosity, combined with Depcik’s background in catalyst modeling, sparked an idea. On a trip to Kentucky, Chris Depcik stood in a warehouse surrounded by rows of whiskey barrels and started thinking about the science behind the spirits, asking a question only a researcher might: How can different distilleries just down the road from each other create such unique products? That scientific curiosity, combined with Depcik’s background in catalyst modeling, sparked an idea.Distinct DistillAge
Distinct DistillAge
For Design-Zyme, it all starts with an unmet medical need. As a small company, they work to create vaccines that are safe and effective. Ten years ago, DARPA – the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency – encouraged the creation of a new company to assist in human health monitoring applications and enhance biosensing. When the agency responsible for much of the research that led to the development of the internet comes calling, you answer. And so Design-Zyme became a reality. For Design-Zyme, it all starts with an unmet medical need. As a small company, they work to create vaccines that are safe and effective. Ten years ago, DARPA – the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency – encouraged the creation of a new company to assist in human health monitoring applications and enhance biosensing. When the agency responsible for much of the research that led to the development of the internet comes calling, you answer. And so Design-Zyme became a reality.Design-Zyme
Design-Zyme
InnovaPrep
Waiting for lab results can be frustrating or downright scary. Sometimes, the process involves blood draws or other potentially painful procedures. For diseases like pancreatic cancer, which often evades diagnosis until its advanced stages, innovation in diagnostic technology isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. InnovaPrep’s lab at KU Innovation Park—nicknamed ACE, the Application Center of Excellence—is focused on just that. By using exosomes in urine and other body fluids, InnovaPrep hopes to make a diagnosis simpler and easier.
InnovaPrep
Waiting for lab results can be frustrating or downright scary. Sometimes, the process involves blood draws or other potentially painful procedures. For diseases like pancreatic cancer, which often evades diagnosis until its advanced stages, innovation in diagnostic technology isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. InnovaPrep’s lab at KU Innovation Park—nicknamed ACE, the Application Center of Excellence—is focused on just that. By using exosomes in urine and other body fluids, InnovaPrep hopes to make a diagnosis simpler and easier.
Oak Therapeutics
Ed Maliski knew there had to be a better way. On a mission trip to Kenya, Ed watched as doctors tried to save a young child with cerebral malaria. Medicines that would’ve helped weren’t available, and efforts to stabilize the toddler were unsuccessful. The heartbreaking experience is one that inspired the next phase of his career. “No parent should have to go through this,” Ed said. “I can’t just sit here and do nothing. So, we started a venture to try to help these children and make it easier for them to take their medicine.”
Oak Therapeutics
Ed Maliski knew there had to be a better way. On a mission trip to Kenya, Ed watched as doctors tried to save a young child with cerebral malaria. Medicines that would’ve helped weren’t available, and efforts to stabilize the toddler were unsuccessful. The heartbreaking experience is one that inspired the next phase of his career. “No parent should have to go through this,” Ed said. “I can’t just sit here and do nothing. So, we started a venture to try to help these children and make it easier for them to take their medicine.”
Icorium Engineering Company
Icorium Engineering Company is blazing a trail in recycling refrigerants. The spin-out company from the University of Kansas designs separation systems to handle complex refrigerant mixtures. Refrigerants, like those used in air conditioners and grocery store coolers, are being phased out because of global warming concerns, and the technology to separate the refrigerant mixtures and reuse the components in new products hasn’t existed. That is until Kalin Baca, Ph.D., MBA and Professor Mark Shiflett teamed up at KU.
Icorium Engineering Company
Icorium Engineering Company is blazing a trail in recycling refrigerants. The spin-out company from the University of Kansas designs separation systems to handle complex refrigerant mixtures. Refrigerants, like those used in air conditioners and grocery store coolers, are being phased out because of global warming concerns, and the technology to separate the refrigerant mixtures and reuse the components in new products hasn’t existed. That is until Kalin Baca, Ph.D., MBA and Professor Mark Shiflett teamed up at KU.
KanREN
The internet was a much different place in 1992. Still in its infancy as a public network, the term “surfing the internet” was coined and popularized that year. The New York Times had yet to write a single article about the World Wide Web or the first browser, and the launch of Amazon.com was still two years away. But in Kansas, the public universities across the state collaborated to create KanREN, a pioneer in research and education networks.
KanREN
The internet was a much different place in 1992. Still in its infancy as a public network, the term “surfing the internet” was coined and popularized that year. The New York Times had yet to write a single article about the World Wide Web or the first browser, and the launch of Amazon.com was still two years away. But in Kansas, the public universities across the state collaborated to create KanREN, a pioneer in research and education networks.
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