Arizona Bioscience News: TGen to buy building from Phoenix; UA College of Pharmacy ‏raising money to expand, renovate; Biotech crops could reduce cancer risk

March 23, 2017

By Matt Ellsworth

TGen to buy downtown Phoenix research building from city / Arizona Republic

Translational Genomics Research Institute will purchase the namesake research tower Phoenix built for the organization more than a decade ago on the Phoenix Biomedical Campus, covering the $68 million in bond payments plus an additional $3 million in cash. Read more: Phoenix City Council approves building sale to TGen for $71M

TGen, ASU and Riddell team up to create new concussion test / Arizona Science Desk

TGen has sequenced extracellular small RNAs in the plasma, urine, and saliva of 55 male athletes at Arizona State University, concluding a 3-year study, and will compare their exRNA dataset with helmet sensor data detailing the number, intensity and direction of head impacts with the hope such research will reveal correlations between biomarkers and concussions. Read more: TGen study of ASU football team produces largest known dataset for concussion diagnostics

Funding for medical research, health training takes hit in Trump budget / Arizona Republic

President Donald Trump’s budget outline would have widespread implications for health-care training and research in Arizona, including at the state’s universities.

New biotech crops could dramatically reduce cancer risk in developing countries / Forbes

Five scientists from public institutions in Arizona describe how they genetically engineered corn to prevent its contamination by aflatoxin—chemicals produced by certain fungi that infect food crops in the developing world.

ASU looks to expand leadership in bioscience / Arizona Builder’s Exchange

ASU is making progress toward becoming one of the leading bioscience research institutions in the United States, following nearly two decades of aggressive investment and program development.

Banner Health says Tucson losses will pay off in the future / Arizona Daily Star

Banner Health is losing money in Tucson, but company officials say the negative cash flow will be offset by future progress, including an updated and expanded Banner-University Medical Center Tucson and a new outpatient clinic on the UA Cancer Center campus.

Flag bioscience firm named program winner / Arizona Daily Sun

Poba Medical, one of seven Arizona bioscience startups selected by the Flinn Foundation to participate in its Bioscience Entrepreneurship Program, is a Flagstaff-based medical device company that provides engineering expertise in balloon design and development, device assembly, pilot manufacturing, and the production of catheter devices and intricate balloon assemblies.

Peoria considering partnership with ASU / Peoria Times

ASU, in collaboration with Mayo Clinic, is in the process of negotiating with the city of Peoria to take over leadership of BioInspire, which offers startups access to seed funding, wet-lab space, and business mentoring and is currently administered by BioAccel.

UA College of Pharmacy receives more than $12 million toward expansion, renovation / KTAR

The University of Arizona’s pharmacy school has received more than $12 million toward an expansion and renovation project on the Tucson campus that is expected to increase new drug discoveries, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology and toxicology, and expand space for teaching and research. Read more: UA College of Pharmacy needs $9.5 million for building renovation

UA experts help bring medicines, inventions to market / Arizona Jewish Post

In 2016, UA researchers came up with 250 new inventions, and Tech Launch Arizona executed 95 licenses, created 14 startup companies, and received more than $2 million in royalty income.

ASU discovery offers hope for pancreatic cancer patients / State Press

Researchers at the Biodesign Institute at the ASU Virginia G. Piper Center for Personalized Diagnostics have developed a method that could potentially detect pancreatic cancer in its early stages.