Bluegrass Business Development Partnership

LEXINGTON, KY – Miracles really aren’t much of a challenge for caterpillars … after all, lots of them can transform into beautiful butterflies. But who knew they could lower the cost of vaccines and therapeutics that prevent or treat a wide ranges of diseases? The University of Kentucky researchers who formed ParaTechs, that’s who.

ParaTechs has a special line of patented insect cells from caterpillars. Their cell line employs the baculovirus expression vector system used to manufacture proteins. These proteins are used in vaccines and therapeutics. ParaTechs technology improves protein production and helps lower the manufacturing costs. And as you may have already guessed, all of this is possible thanks to those fuzzy insects – caterpillars!

Shannon Bass, CEO of ParaTechs, came to the Bluegrass Business Development Partnership (BBDP) in hopes of good news. As their products grow in popularity, they need to hire more employees and move to a larger location. She knew that these are things that the BBDP could help with. And in the end, after many meetings with BBDP and Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development staff, good news is exactly what she received. ParaTechs has been awarded $120,000 from the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development’s High Tech Investment Pool. These funds will allow ParaTechs to purchase the equipment they need to relocate to their larger location and hire an anticipated seven new people in high-tech jobs that pay an average of at least $55,000 annually.