Hemenway, Sebelius to promote Kansas business at British air show

Topeka ? Gov. Kathleen Sebelius will lead a delegation, including Kansas University Chancellor Robert Hemenway, to the Farnborough International Air Show in England next week to promote the state’s aviation industry and encourage investment in Kansas.

The trip from July 14-20 will also include stops at the University of Nottingham and cutting-edge cancer research company OccImmune, which has established its North American headquarters at Lenexa and works with KU’s breast cancer researchers.

“One hundred years ago Clyde Cessna and Walter Beech came to Kansas, joined an emerging industry, and made history,” Sebelius said in a news release. “Today, more than 50 percent of the airplanes flown in the world are made right here in Kansas, and our economy, our state and our country have benefited from their innovation and determination.”

Also on the trip will be Kansas Commerce Secretary David Kerr, executives from ICE Corp. of Manhattan, Greater Wichita Economic Development Coalition, Global Ground Support of Olathe, and Nex-Tech Aerospace of Wichita.

The Farnborough Air Show is one of the largest aerospace trade shows in the world, featuring nearly 1,500 exhibiting companies from 35 countries. It is held every other year in rotation with the Paris Air Show.

Sebelius is expected to meet with Lord Digby Jones, England’s minister for trade and investment. And the delegation, in partnership with KU, will meet with University of Nottingham officials and executives from the biotech company OncImmune.

OccImmune’s $30 million investment should produce 120 Kansas jobs and develop 20 new positions at KU, Hemenway said.

“KU’s partnership with OncImmune speeds our progress to the creation of a truly world-class cancer center,” Hemenway said. “It’s a collaboration that shows how University of Kansas researchers, together with cutting-edge life sciences companies, can combat cancer and strengthen our region’s economy,” he said.

The company develops products for the early detection of cancer.

The visit to the University of Nottingham on July 17 includes a meeting with Sir Colin Campbell, vice chancellor, and Sir Peter Mansfield, who in 2003 received the Nobel Prize for medicine.