On Dec. 3, 2002, the Flinn Foundation launched Arizona’s Bioscience Roadmap before a crowded ballroom at the Arizona Biltmore. While those who attended were excited about the possibilities, no one could foresee the impressive chain of events that would unfold over the ensuing decade as Arizona built its bioscience sector.
On Dec. 4, 2012, the Flinn Foundation and many of these same bioscience leaders came together once again at the Arizona Biltmore to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the launching of the Roadmap.
During the luncheon, nine bioscience leaders were honored with special awards while numerous others were recognized for their work and efforts. Arizona State University president Michael Crow provided the keynote address, “Arizona—21st Century Bioscience and the Sun Corridor as a Competitive Economic Region.”
The nine honorees included leaders who had a profound impact on the development of Arizona’s bioscience sector in 2002 and current leadership of the steering committee that oversees Arizona’s Bioscience Roadmap.
- The Honorable Jane Dee Hull
Governor, State of Arizona, 1997-2003 - Richard Mallery
Founding Chair/CEO, International Genomics Consortium
Partner, Snell & Wilmer LLP - John Murphy
Retired President & CEO, Flinn Foundation - Walter Plosila, Ph.D.
Senior Advisor to Battelle Technology Partnership Practice - Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Ronald Shoopman
Vice Chair, Arizona’s Bioscience Roadmap Steering Committee
President, Southern Arizona Leadership Council - Martin Shultz
Chair, Arizona’s Bioscience Roadmap Steering Committee
Senior Policy Director, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP - Jeffrey Trent, Ph.D.
President & Scientific Director, Translational Genomics Research Institute - Daniel Von Hoff, M.D.
Executive Vice President, Physician-in-Chief, Translational Genomics Research Institute - Raymond Woosley, M.D., Ph.D.
President Emeritus and Founder, Critical Path Institute
President, AZCERT, Inc.
But this event was not meant to only celebrate the past. The Flinn Foundation has extended its commitment to the Roadmap beyond its original 10 years to bring even greater benefits to Arizona in the years ahead.
The strides made throughout the state over the past decade were outlined in a series of guest opinion pieces, news articles and timelines that appeared in the state’s largest newspapers. This includes coverage by the Arizona Republic and Arizona Daily Star in December plus a 16-page special section, Bio X, published by the Phoenix Business Journal in November.
The Arizona Republic wrote on Dec. 2 that a decade of concerted effort has helped make Arizona one of the nation’s top bioscience states, which the newspaper said is good for both the state’s economy and our health-care system.
The Republic says following the Roadmap has led to strong growth in the biosciences and a decade of success. “(Ten) years after Arizona landed TGen and formed a plan, the state now is a hub for bioscience advances.”
As the Daily Star noted, “Launched in 2002, the roadmap has been credited with steering the state bio sector—including hospitals, medical-device firms and drug-research companies—on a path to growth.
Indeed, the state’s bio industry has grown, particularly in the Tucson area.”
For more information:
“Tucson tech: Flinn got Tucson region on Bioscience Roadmap,” Arizona Daily Star, 12/04/2012
“Guest column: Southern Arizona plays critical role in the state’s bioscience drive,” Arizona Daily Star, 12/02/2012
“A hub for bioscience advances,” Arizona Republic, 12/01/2012
“Why Arizona’s bioscience industry matters,” Arizona Republic, 11/28/2012
“ Arizona’s 10 smartest bioscience investments,” Arizona Republic, 11/13/2012
Bio X: Celebrating a decade of innovation, Phoenix Business Journal, 11/02/2012