Since joining KU Innovation Park in 2011, Argenta has grown into one of the Park’s most prominent tenants and is expanding its operation to Phase III. Founded in New Zealand in 2006, Argenta has been a major player in the animal health industry. Argenta’s worldwide locations include New Zealand, the United States, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom, aiming to expand more as they grow their business. Argenta partners with organizations across the globe to provide innovative and effective services for animal health.

Argenta operates from Molecular to Market in partnership with customers of all sizes from all corners of the world. The company holds a unique position as the only combined global contract research organization (CRO) and contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) dedicated to animal health and nutrition.

At KU Innovation Park, their pharmaceutical sciences team is the center of excellence for the proprietary Argenta Chew Technology. “The team has successfully tackled challenges for a range of formulations, including transdermal delivery, sterile injectables, in situ thermal setting gels, and microspheres using self-assembling biopeptides for a controlled release,” said Dr. Ben Isaacs, Argenta’s head of pharmaceutical sciences for the U.S.

Dr. Isaacs attributes a lot of their success in Lawrence to being located at the Park. The proximity to the University has resulted in many interns and full-time employment hires coming directly from KU. The ability to have customized lab spaces at the Park has allowed them to create a space that is the most efficient for their needs. “The Park allows us to have access to the University and network with other companies,” said Dr. Isaacs.

Currently, Argenta has 12 employees, and Dr. Isaacs predicts that they will double in size after moving to the new building. Argenta is looking forward to its new, expanded, state-of-the-art laboratories in Phase III, from where they can further advance their work ranging from biologics to New Chemical Entities to generic Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients that will help advance the health and well-being of millions of animals across the globe.