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Feb 07, 2012

Support grows for medical-device community

[From Robert Green]

Arizona’s medical device industry is a lynchpin of the bioscience community. Medical device employment constitutes 32% of Arizona’s non-hospital bioscience employment. (drugs and pharmaceuticals are only 8%). With first-class research institutions and an industry spanning from one-person shops to industry giants, Arizona has it all.

To support this critically important sector of Arizona’s economy the City of Peoria, BioAccel and The Plaza Group are building an incubator in Peoria dedicated to medical device development with working capital available to qualifying companies. More than just a facility, this collaboration was created to connect the medical device community.

Robert has also initiated a new network for the medical-device community, the Arizona Medical Device Alliance LinkedIn Group.

Future plans include networking and educational events, all designed to strengthen Arizona’s medical device community.

 

 Tags: bioaccel, medical devices, peoria, plaza group, robert green
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Dec 19, 2011

BioAccel launches network to attract bio funding

From the Phoenix Business Journal:

BioAccel, a Phoenix nonprofit that helps startups commercialize their products, has created a network to attract more funds to Arizona’s biosciences community.

While a few local biotech companies have garnered venture capital from out-of-state sources this year, the lack of capital coming from within Arizona continues to plague the industry.

Enter the Philanthro-Capitalist Network, a group that aims to bring together the business community and high-net-worth individuals looking to invest in biotechnology-related companies.

Bio­Accel CEO MaryAnn Guerra said her goal is to build a life-science ecosystem in Arizona that can connect scientists with angel funds, manufacturers and others who can help take their ideas to the next level.

“We have a lot of high-net-worth individuals who could participate in a fund or invest,” she said. “We have great technology coming out of universities and research institutes and medical centers.”

What’s still missing is what Guerra calls deal flow.

BioAccel's latest effort to instigate growth in the biosciences in Arizona follows on the heels of its creation with the Peoria City Council and the Plaza Companies of the Peoria Incucelerator.

Read more: "BioAccel launches venture capital network for AZ biosciences"

 Tags: bioaccel, maryann guerra, peoria, venture capital
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Jul 19, 2011

Cardinal Health opens $11M Phoenix facility

With little advance fanfare, Cardinal Health Inc., based in Dublin, OH, has opened an $11M facility in Phoenix near the Tempe border. With the research site come 20 new jobs:

The 25,000-square-foot facility at 4505 E. Broadway Road will help pharmaceutical companies and academic research institutions accelerate the development, testing and commercialization of new radiopharmaceuticals and positron emission tomography imaging agents used in PET scans.

The 20 positions in Phoenix include roles for radio-chemists, engineers, scientists, product development managers, project managers and quality and regulatory personnel.

Cardinal Health is on of the larger bioscience companies to establish a foothold in Arizona in recent years. The firm has more than 30,000 employees worlwide, and annual revenue of $99 billion.

Read more at the source: "Cardinal Health opens $11M imaging research center in Phoenix"

 Tags: cardinal health, molecular imaging
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Apr 07, 2011

Algae Biosciences Corp. taken public

Algae Biosciences Corp., a northern-Arizona firm working in three bioscience niches--neutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and biofuels--will soon be a public company. The reverse merger with Triwood Capital Corp. values Algae Biosciences at more than $6.8 million (Canadian):

Triwood Capital Corp. (TSX-V: TRD.H), to be renamed Algae Biosciences Corporation, has filed a final prospectus for an offering of up to 25 million common shares at $0.20 per share to raise up to $5 million. The offering is expected to close on April 15, 2011.

[...]

As Triwood’s proposed qualifying transaction (QT), Triwood and Algae Biosciences have agreed to effect a forward triangular transaction under which Algae Biosciences will merge with and into Algae Delaware, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Triwood, with Algae Delaware as the surviving entity. Following the completion of the QT, Triwood will be renamed Algae Biosciences Corporation.

Read more at the source: "Triwood Capital/Algae Bioosciences Files Final Offering Prospectus"

 Tags: algae biosciences corp., biofuels
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Apr 01, 2011

Apthera Inc. acquired for $7.2M

[From the Worcester Telegram and Gazette]

Scottsdale-based Apthera Inc. has been purchased for $7.2 million by RXi Pharmaceuticals, a Massachusetts company. 

Mark W. Schwartz, Apthera president and CEO, will become chief operating officer of RXi, the companies reported.

RXi is focused on RNA interference, technology that aims to block the activity of genes. The company’s first product under development, RXI-109, aims to reduce surgical scarring.

Acquiring Apthera gives RXi a therapeutic vaccine for cancer called NeuVax that is close to the third and final phase of human testing in breast cancer patients. NeuVax uses a small peptide from a protein expressed by certain tumors to prod the body’s immune system to attack cancer cells.

Apthera's Robert Kennedy will also join RXi.

The acquisition comes in the wake of RXi's decision to move from a focus on research into product development.

Read more at the source: "RXi to buy Ariz. firm"

 Tags: apthera, mark schwartz, rxi pharmaceuticals
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Jan 20, 2011

AZBio now offers members special rates on FedEx shipping

The Arizona BioIndustry Association offers an array of money-saving benefits to its members--enough that many member companies and organizations save more than their membership dues.

The newest benefit is a significant discount on FedEx shipping services, a result of the partnership between AZBio and the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), the international trade association for the biotech industry.

Erin Donahue, AZBio's director of operations, provided these details of the program in an email to members:

As a member of AZBio, the program offers your company:

• Up to 33% off select FedEx Express®U.S shipping

• Up to 35% off select FedEx Express international shipping

• Up to 23% off select FedEx Express®Freight shipments of more than 150 pounds

• Up to 15% off select FedEx Ground®shipping

(The discounts above on FedEx Express and FedEx Express international shipments include an additional 5% discount when you create shipping labels for eligible shipments on fedex.com or with another approved FedEx®electronic shipping solution.) As a member of AZBio, your company is eligible to take advantage of this FedEx program with no enrollment fees or shipping quotas, as the program is offered as a benefit of AZBiomembership.

For more information or to enroll in the program, go to http://www.bio.org/bbs/fedex. Information about other cost-savings programs offered by AZBiocan be found at http://bio.org/bbs/Arizona/.

Learn more about becoming a member of the Arizona BioIndustry Association.

 Tags: azbio, purchasing
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Jan 18, 2011

SkySong economic impact: $113.6M

[From Arizona Republic]

The Greater Phoenix Economic Council has released a study of the economic impact of SkySong, Arizona State University's initiative to turn new innovations into successful business and nurture young companies with bright futures in technology-intensive sectors. The study puts SkySong's economic impact at $113.6 million annually.

According to a recent GPEC study, companies located within the project have created 733 jobs to date and more than 1,000 direct and indirect jobs overall. The study estimates more than 5,000 jobs will be generated by SkySong with a total economic impact of $9.2 billion when it reaches the 30-year mark of its operation.

Many of those jobs are tech positions that appeal to Arizona as it aims to lure employers in the renewable-energy, technology and bioscience industries to boost economic growth. During the recent recession, Arizona shed jobs faster than any state but Michigan, according to federal reports.

Read more at the source: "SkySong's impact is put at $113.6 million"

 Tags: asu, economic impact, skysong
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Dec 13, 2010

Arizona Cancer Center to partner with Catholic Healthcare West on Phoenix expansion

[From Arizona Daily Star]

The merger of the University of Arizona's medical school and two hospitals is moving along, UA leaders told the Arizona Board of Regents on Friday.

The regents heard about the search for a new CEO and new faculty, several major building projects and other efforts in a 30-minute progress report.

[...]

Progress is being made on plans to expand the Arizona Cancer Center to downtown Phoenix, first as a unit at St. Joseph's Hospital in the spring and later in a new, privately financed, 250,000-square-foot building in partnership with St. Joseph's parent company, Catholic Healthcare West, said UA vice president Bill Crist.

Read more at the source: "UA med school, hospitals merger nearer"

 Tags: abor, arizona cancer center, catholic healthcare west, st. joseph's hospital and medical center, ua
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Nov 30, 2010

EndoStim Licenses Novel Device Developed by ASU

Arizona Technology Enterprises (AzTE), the technology venturing arm of Arizona State University, has finalized a series of licensing transactions with EndoStim, Inc., a St. Louis medical device startup, spinning out applications for the groundbreaking neurostimulation technologies developed by an ASU researcher.

 Tags: arizona state university, azte, bioengineering
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Nov 30, 2010

Green stepping down as CEO of AZBio

Now that Robert Green has served his term as interim president and CEO of the Arizona BioIndustry Association, a search will begin soon for his replacement.

Green, who has been serving in a consulting capacity since October 2009, will leave AZBio Dec. 31.

He will focus on his Tucson-based company, Integrated Biomolecule Corp., which creates custom chemicals for pharmaceutical firms.

 Tags: azbio
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Nov 24, 2010

Tucson cancer prevention firm is BioIndustry winner

Cancer Prevention Pharmaceuticals, Inc., has been named 2010 winner of the Arizona BioIndustry Association “Fast Start Award.”

The award recognizes the “most significant for-profit bioscience company headquartered in Arizona and founded on or after Jan. 1, 2008,” a release said.

 Tags: cancer
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Nov 22, 2010

Caris Life Sciences expands molecular R&D capabilities globally to speed commercialization efforts

Caris Life Sciences, Inc., a leading biosciences company focused on enabling precise and personalized healthcare through the highest quality anatomic pathology, molecular profiling, and blood-based diagnostic services, announced today recent appointments and additions to its senior scientific staff at facilities in Lausanne, Switzerland and Phoenix, Arizona to focus on novel biosignature identification and next-generation diagnostic assay development. The expansion includes 20 research scientists, technologists, and bioinformaticians. Caris Life Sciences has a long-standing and increasing commitment to commercialization of cutting-edge biomedical science, as evidenced most recently by its Carisome™ circulating microvesicle (cMV) technology. This proprietary blood-based technology is currently being developed for earlier, more accurate and less invasive testing for cancer and other complex diseases.
 
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Nov 18, 2010

CSI Phoenix: New biotech company aims to help police solve crimes

DNA is the new fingerprint.

So says entrepreneur Jeff Morhet, who is starting a biotech company that uses nanotechnology to collect genetic material to solve crimes.

Diomics Inc.’s product, the X-Swab, is designed to replace the cotton swab investigators use to collect DNA at crime scenes.

 

 Tags: center for applied nanobioscience and medicine, gneomics, nanotechnology, university of arizona
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Nov 10, 2010

CDEX launches new pocket ID2 device

CDEX Inc., a leading developer of chemical detection products, using patented technologies, for use in healthcare and security markets, announced today the launch of its new Pocket ID2 Scanner. CDEX also signed a distribution agreement with Lifeloc Technologies, a leading supplier of breath alcohol testers to law enforcement agencies, for sale of the Pocket ID2. We expect the first production of the Pocket ID2 to begin in December 2010.
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Nov 09, 2010

Business incubator to expand?

Can the cash-strapped city of Flagstaff afford to expand its innovative small business incubator in the next few years?

That is a question the Flagstaff City Council will consider tonight as it reviews the $2 million price tag for its share of a 25,000-square-foot expansion of the Northern Arizona Center for Emerging Technologies atop McMillan Mesa.

NACET has been one of the few Flagstaff job generators during the current recession. So the question for the council might be can the city afford not to expand the incubator.

The 10,000-square-foot facility is nearly filled to capacity, with a waiting list of 12 potential businesses vying to be the next incubator client.
 

 Tags: nacet
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Nov 09, 2010

NeoPharm, Inc. completes merger with Insys Therapeutics, Inc.

NeoPharm, Inc. , a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the research, development and commercialization of new and innovative therapeutic applications of drugs for cancer and other diseases, today announced it has completed its merger with Insys Therapeutics, Inc., a Phoenix, AZ based pharmaceutical company.

The combined company creates a near-term commercial organization with a pipeline focused in the pain and oncology space. The company intends to prioritize the combined portfolio of product candidates and focus on taking LEP-ETU into Phase III, while it works towards its NDA submission of the fentanyl sublingual spray. The anticipated filing date is slated for the first quarter of 2011.
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Nov 05, 2010

InNexus Biotechnology awarded federal grant

InNexus Biotechnology Inc., a leading drug development company commercializing the next generation of antibodies based on its groundbreaking Dynamic Cross Linking (DXL™) technology, today announced it has been awarded a cash grant by the U.S. government totaling $116,760 for projects related to the Company’s development of DXL™ anti-cancer antibodies.

 Tags: cancer
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Nov 03, 2010

Intrinsic Bioprobes receives US patent for protein biomarkers for MI

According to the patent, the company identified the proteins serum amyloid A and S-sulfonated transthyretin as biomarkers for myocardial infarction and developed a three-marker panel consisting of SAA, SS-TTR, and known MI biomarker myoglobin.

 Tags: biomarkers, cardiology, proteomics
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Nov 03, 2010

Arizona biotech firms get $9 million

The Internal Revenue Service announced today that 37 Arizona bioscience companies won more than $9 million in credits and grants under a one-year program to help fund research and development efforts.

The Arizona BioIndustry Association was instrumental in publicizing the new program to Arizona’s bioscience companies, offering seminars in Phoenix and Tucson to help them apply for the grants.
 

 Tags: azbio
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Nov 02, 2010

Applied Microarrays says year-to-date sales swell

Applied Microarrays' revenue for the first nine months of 2010 has grown 85 percent over 2009, largely driven by contract protein-array manufacturing partnerships, according to the firm's CEO.

Over the same period, the Tempe, Ariz.-based firm, which was founded in 2007 when it acquired GE Healthcare's CodeLink bioarray platform, has seen sales of legacy CodeLink products dwindle to less than 5 percent of its total revenue.

 Tags: genomics, protoemics
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Nov 01, 2010

MSDx changes name and broadens mission scope

The company known as MSDx, Inc. changed its official name from Multiple Sclerosis Diagnostics, LLC to MSDx, Inc. Along with this change, the company is launching a new brand identity that reflects its mission of addressing broader medical solutions.
When the organization was originally formed, its focus was on developing blood tests specifically for multiple sclerosis (MS). The new company name and brand identity support MSDx’s broader focus on providing diagnostics solutions for a wider range of neurological and autoimmune diseases.
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Oct 29, 2010

Intrinsic Bioprobes announces issuance of US patent for novel biomarkers

Intrinsic Bioprobes today announced that the United States Patents and Trademark Office has issued US Patent 7,816,095 covering novel blood protein biomarkers related to cardiovascular disease. This patent is first of a series of patent applications that cover specific human protein variants as biomarkers with clinical utility.

 Tags: cardiology
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Oct 28, 2010

ImmuneRegen BioSciences(R) reports positive results in cancer vaccine studies

ImmuneRegen BioSciences, Inc.(R), a wholly owned subsidiary of IR BioSciences Holdings, Inc. /quotes/comstock/11k!irbs (IRBS 0.07, 0.00, 0.00%) , today announced that treatment with its lead compound, Homspera(R), improved the survival of animals vaccinated with an experimental melanoma vaccine.

 Tags: cancer
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Oct 21, 2010

Revalesio partners with leading firm

Revalesio Corporation announced today that it has contracted with Predictive Biomarker Sciences (PBS-Bio) to conduct studies related to the use of Revalesio’s novel anti-inflammatory therapeutic in treating cancer.

To jump-start drug development, PBS-Bio’s analysis helps pharmaceutical companies better understand how their drugs work and identifies biomarkers that can help predict which patients will respond to treatment.

 Tags: tgen
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Oct 20, 2010

PBS-Bio works with 3 new firms to accelerate cancer drug development

In an industry that faces increasing challenges in delivering new drugs to patients, Predictive Biomarker Sciences (PBS-Bio) today announced three new contracts aimed at bringing new medicines to the marketplace.

PBS-Bio said it is helping more companies develop therapies against a variety of cancers. Most new cancer drugs fail in late-stage studies, and it can take as much as $1 billion and more than a decade to bring the drugs to market.

To jump-start drug development, PBS-Bio’s analysis helps pharmaceutical companies better understand how their drugs work, and identifies biomarkers that can help predict which patients will respond to treatment.

 

 Tags: cancer, tgen
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Oct 15, 2010

How Oro Valley landed 500, $75,000 a-year jobs

Although Roche Group’s announced $180 million, 500-job expansion of its Ventana Medical Systems will take place across the street from its exsiting operation in Oro Valley, the decision to come here was no slam dunk.

The expansion, including the jobs that will pay an average of $75,000 a year, is the region’s biggest single economic development in close to two years. But it required a combination of cooperation among government entities to provide an incentive to bring jobs here and to ease and fast-track development.

 

 Tags: bio5
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Oct 13, 2010

Drugmaker Roche Group to add 500 jobs in Tucson

Drug giant Roche Group plans to add 500 jobs in Tucson as part of an expansion of its Ventana Medical Systems campus.

Roche officials have planned expanding in Arizona since acquiring Ventana in a $3.4 billion deal in January 2008.

Pima County and Arizona sweetened the deal for Ventana through an incentives offer worth more than $10 million. The state will kick in about $2 million in federal stimulus dollars that will be pegged to the job-growth goals, according to an Arizona Department of Commerce spokesman.

 
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Oct 13, 2010

Abraxis stockholders vote in favor of acquisition by Celgene

Celgene Corp. and Abraxis Bioscience Inc. said Wednesday that Abraxis' stockholders voted in favor of its acquisition by Celgene.

Celgene said in June that it would buy Abraxis for about $2.9 billion in a deal to expand its cancer treatment offerings.

Abraxis only has approved drug: Abraxane, which is a breast cancer treatment that has potential to be used as a treatment for other kinds of cancer.

 
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Oct 12, 2010

PADT helps found new startup to focus on novel tissue ablation technology

PADT has helped found a new company, XO Thermix, with two long time medical device industry veterans.  The startup has licensed IP from the University of Minnesota that was developed by Dr. Erik Cressman and provides a new method for ablating tissue based on exothermic heating.  Exothermic heating occurs when two appropriate chemicals, say an acid and a base, mix together and release heat.
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Oct 12, 2010

Hospital sees improved outcomes with new Secure Tracks patient support system

Weight bearing gait aides such as conventional walkers and belts could quickly become a thing of the past in rehabilitation centers of hospitals as Secure Tracks (http://www.securetracks.com) today announced the launch of its innovative new patient support system. Customized for each hospital’s unique needs, Secure Tracks is a purely mechanical system that consists of a ceiling-mounted monorail track, an exclusive trolley and a U-shaped support device that allows patients to stand completely upright and walk with a natural gait without the need for a harness.

 Tags: banner sun health research institute