Arizona Bioscience News: New Roche factory; Rural health care grants; Lung cancer screening

November 17, 2022

By Jessica Vaile


Cancer-test maker Roche unveils new factory in Marana / Arizona Daily Star

Roche Tissue Diagnostics will soon have more space to boost production of its cancer-detecting instruments and tests after cutting the ribbon on a new, 60,000-square-foot building in Marana next door to a distribution center of about the same size that opened in 2015.


To save water, Arizona farmers are growing guayule for sustainable tires / Popular Science

Water cuts have caused some farmers in Pinal County to look for more water-efficient crops, including guayule, a desert-adapted shrub that could be used for several products, most notably as a natural rubber for tires.


2 southern Arizona nonprofits awarded grants to improve rural health care / Arizona Republic

Two southern Arizona nonprofits—Campesinos sin Fronteras of Yuma and the Copper Queen Community Hospital Foundation of Bisbee—were awarded more than $11 million for equipment and updating medical facilities from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.


Lung cancer report highlights lack of awareness, screening in Arizona / KJZZ

Experts estimate more than 4,600 Arizonans will be diagnosed with lung cancer in 2022, yet awareness and screening rates remain low as only 2.2% of eligible Arizonans have been screened, according to a new report released by the American Lung Association. 


Fewer women-founded Arizona startups get VC deals this year, but long-term trend positive / Phoenix Business Journal (AZ Inno)

After a record-shattering 2021 in venture capital fundraising for Arizona companies founded by women, this year pales in comparison, with $44 million raised in venture capital across 21 deals during the first three quarters of this year.


Arizona’s largest health system imposes visitor restrictions because of flu, other viruses / Arizona Republic

The number of flu cases in Arizona is nearly 16 times higher than it was at this time last year, and some hospitals are taking action with earlier-than-usual visitor restrictions.


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