Future drug institute wins $400,000 grant for start-up

Organizers of the new Institute for Global Pharmaceutical Development in Tucson took a big step toward a planned January launch with a $400,000 grant from the Commerce and Economic Development Commission (CEDC).

The commerce grant will be used over the next few months to legally incorporate the institute, build a staff, locate and secure office space, and shape the institute's research and education programs, according to the Arizona Daily Star.

"This is sort of the kick-start to the whole process," Bruce Wright, UA associate vice president for economic development, told the Star.

Wright and Tucson city and county officials expect the Institute of Global Pharmaceutical Development to create 160 new jobs and attract pharmaceutical companies to southern Arizona. The proposed institute, a partnership between the UA College of Pharmacy, the Food and Drug Administration, and California-based development firm SRI, will seek to expedite the drug-approval cycle through new technologies and testing.

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For more information:

"Drug institute gets $400,000 planning grant," Arizona Daily Star, 10/27/2004

" Drug institute moves toward January launch," Inside Tucson Business, 10/31/2004

"UA, Tucson meet funding deadline for drug institute," 10/07/2004