The French firm plans to build a 20,000-square-foot facility on its current campus at 8906 Rosehill Road, according to KansasCity. The company already employs 150 people at the location.

Lenexa was chosen over sites in Europe and Brazil for the expansion.

"Ceva's investment in the current Lenexa facility speaks to the animal health industry strength in the region," said Arnaud Bourgeois, vice president and North American zone director.

"Not only did Ceva recognize our strong current work force, it recognised the KC Animal Health Corridor's assets and the potential for Ceva Biomune's future growth."

The corridor is a concept being marketed by the Kansas City Area Development Council to attract more investment in that category. The corridor stretches from Columbia to Manhattan and includes more than 120 animal health companies. Together, they account for 32 per cent of the $19 billion global animal health industry, according to the council.

Ceva Biomune is the 15th company to announce plans to relocate or expand in the area since the corridor marketing effort was launched in 2006.

Bob Marcusse, Kansas City Area Development Council president and CEO, praised the Ceva Biomune decision to expand its Lenexa campus.

"The animal health corridor beat out competition such as Brazil for this important investment," he said. "In addition to building our scientific credibility, this will add 80 good jobs."

The new facility is expected to open in mid-2010. It will join a complex that was opened in 1988 by Biomune Labs. Ceva Sante Animal purchased the operation in 2005.