“The Latest in Arizona Biosciences” at noon Wednesday, April 23 will share new data with the community highlighting Arizona bioscience and hospital jobs, wages, federal grants, venture capital, university tech transfer, and other measures from the past year—continuing a practice started by the Flinn Foundation more than two decades ago.

The virtual event will also feature a look toward September (and beyond) when the new Arizona’s Bioscience Roadmap will be unveiled. SRI International, the consulting group leading the development of the new Roadmap, will preview what lies ahead.

There is still time to register.

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Bioscience startup HemaSense of Flagstaff was one of three companies to earn a cash prize in the 2025 Venture Madness by Invest Southwest competition held earlier this month in Tempe.

HemaSense is improving patient outcomes and reducing costs of percutaneous interventions by providing health care professionals the first early alert system for bleeding complications at the access site during post-op recovery, according to its website.

HemaSense was awarded second place and $7,500 in the 16-startup pitch competition. The 16 early-stage companies were selected from 125 applicants.   

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Is 100% survival after stroke achievable? Tim Becker, a Flinn Foundation translational research seed grantee and Northern Arizona University professor, innovates in real-time as CTO of Aneuvas Technologies which develops catheter-based devices. He oversees the Bioengineering Devices Lab and hands-on research for students looking at treatment for stroke patients. Here he speaks with Mary O’Reilly, Flinn Foundation Vice President, Bioscience Research Programs. https://lnkd.in/gg8NM7jx Mary O’Reilly, PhD

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Learn about the future of medical device manufacturing in Arizona by attending “Shaping the Future of Advancing Electronics and Medical Technologies,” the 2025 Technology Workshop sponsored by MDM2 and its partners.

The event will take between April 22-24 at the ASU Health Futures Center in Phoenix, adjacent to the Mayo Clinic campus.

The Medical Device Manufacturing Multiplier, or MDM2, Consortium is dedicated to empowering Greater Phoenix to become a global leader in medical device manufacturing. Members include Arizona companies, health systems, economic developers, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations including the Flinn Foundation.

This event is free for MDM2 member organizations. Registration is now available.

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Best of luck to the 16 early-stage companies, including those in the biosciences and health tech, presenting at the annual capital conference and pitch competition April 2-3.

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Tomás Díaz de la Rubia, Ph.D., University of Arizona senior vice president of research and innovation, will share information about bioscience research, commercialization, and health care opportunities and challenges during the upcoming Flinn Foundation event. 

The Zoom webinar will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 23. Registration is now available.

In addition, new Arizona bioscience performance metrics will be revealed along with a presentation about the new Arizona’s Bioscience Roadmap coming in September.

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The Arizona’s Bioscience Roadmap Bluesky account is another great way to stay informed during the ongoing Roadmap update.

Follow @azbioroadmap.bsky.social to see the latest news, profiles, data and more leading up to the September release of the third iteration of Arizona’s Bioscience Roadmap.

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Heather Carter, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Health Choice CEO and chair of the Arizona’s Bioscience Roadmap Steering Committee, will share new data from TEConomy Partners highlighting Arizona bioscience and hospital jobs, wages, federal grants, venture capital, university tech-transfer, and other measures.

There will also be a discussion about academic research opportunities and challenges during these tumultuous times and a report from SRI International about what to expect from the new Roadmap coming in September.

The Zoom webinar will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 23. This will be the final data report under the current iteration of the Roadmap. Past progress reports are available at flinn.org/progress.

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University of Arizona Professor and BIO5 Institute Director Jennifer Barton is one of 162 honorees named to the National Academy of Inventors 2025 class of senior members. Barton is vice chair of Arizona’s Bioscience Roadmap Steering Committee, the leadership group overseeing the state’s long-term strategic plan that has guided the growth and innovation of Arizona’s bioscience ecosystem for more than two decades.

Barton, the Thomas R. Brown Distinguished Chair of Biomedical Engineering at U of A, has eight patents including for a sub-millimeter diameter falloposcope to identify early-stage ovarian cancer, and is immediate past president of SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics.

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Three Arizona companies were among those selected for two Phoenix-area multiday program cohorts for early-stage health tech and bioscience startups.

The Patient Company, a past participant in the Flinn Foundation Bioscience Entrepreneurship Program, is one of four members in the inaugural cohort of XLR8 PBC at the Phoenix Bioscience Core. The company is the maker of the SimPull lateral transfer device for patients.

The Mayo Clinic and ASU MedTech Accelerator welcomes 10 companies for its sixth cohort including WellBeings of Scottsdale and Phoenix-based The Pause. WellBeings integrates and normalizes real-time data from wearables with EMR and diagnostics tests. The Pause aims to integrate personalized artificial intelligence into menopause management. 

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The impact of multi-institutional collaborations and partnerships led the discussion among Arizona’s Bioscience Roadmap Steering Committee members during its gathering earlier today.

These collaborations have been a strength for Arizona—between our hospitals, research institutes, universities, companies, economic development organizations, and more.  One of the most instrumental collaborations in Arizona’s bioscience growth and progress is the Arizona Alzheimer’s Consortium—the nation’s leading model of statewide collaboration in Alzheimer’s disease research.  

Drs. Eric Reiman and Richard Caselli, members of the Alzheimer’s consortium and Flinn Foundation Board of Directors, led a presentation followed by an engaging discussion with moderator Jennifer Barton and panelists Jani Ingram, Mark Van Dyke, Kathleen Lee, and David Spetzler about their ongoing collaborations.

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The ASU Health headquarters is coming to Phoenix Bioscience Core, the university announced.

The 200,000-square-foot facility in downtown Phoenix will be home to the new School of Medicine and Advanced Medical Engineering—which will produce physicians who blend medicine, engineering, technology and humanities—and the School of Technology for Public Health.

HonorHealth, the primary clinical affiliate for the new medical school, will be co-located in the headquarters and colleges across Arizona State University will work with ASU Health to advance health standards.

The headquarters is expected to open in fall 2028.

Photo by: Arizona State University

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Arizona bioscience companies Anuncia Medical and Macula Vision Systems have been selected from a competitive field of startups to receive funding support through the 2025 Flinn Foundation Bioscience Entrepreneurship Program.

The companies receive $100,000 in non-dilutive funding support through the Arizona Bioindustry Association, the Foundation’s nonprofit partner. The 2025 program’s 10 participants — including eight companies not selected for funding — were announced March 6 at the Flinn Foundation Bio Capital Conference at the Creighton University Health Sciences Campus in Phoenix.

Now in its 12th cohort, the entrepreneurship program was established to support Arizona’s Bioscience Roadmap goal of creating a thriving hub for bioscience entrepreneurs and startups across the state.

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Mayo Clinic’s $1.9 billion planned investment in its Phoenix campus is amazing news for Arizona.

Bold. Forward. Unbound. in Arizona will transform patient care and create new jobs while playing a significant role in the continued growth, impact, and innovation of the state’s bioscience ecosystem.

The 1.2-million-square-foot expansion project is scheduled to be completed in 2031.

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In this feature story about Courtney Williams and her Tucson-based company, Emagine Solutions Technology, we learn what motivates her to improve maternal health through The Journey app and VistaScan.

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Join us for the Storyteller workshop at the March 6 Flinn Foundation Bio Capital Conference and learn how to shape a compelling first-person story to grow a company.

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Congrats to Northern Arizona University on receiving R1 research activity designation from the Carnegie Foundation, which is the highest classification for United States research institutions.

The designation reflects NAU’s efforts to produce knowledge, processes and technology that are pivotal in solving the world’s problems and preparing students to enter the constantly shifting workforce, according to a NAU press release. The criteria for R1 status are spending at least $50 million annually on research and development and awarding at least 70 research doctorates each year.

This story was one of several highlights in this week’s edition of Arizona Bioscience News. Sign up today!

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SRI International has met with Flinn Foundation staff every two weeks since last summer and participated in hundreds of engagements around the state as it prepares the next iteration of Arizona’s Bioscience Roadmap.

Last week, SRI provided Flinn with Benchmarking and SWOT Analysis reports, identifying several peer states and regions for analysis and comparison as well as a look at our state’s internal strengths and weaknesses, external opportunities, and threats.

The overall project is moving closer to completion. Stay tuned for details about a fall release.

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It’s been an inspiring day at the Flinn Foundation as leaders of 10 Arizona-based bioscience companies are making their best pitch for $100,000.

Two startups will earn the funding through the Bioscience Entrepreneurship Program while the other eight finalists will be invited to work with the Flinn Foundation and its network and offered one-year memberships to Arizona’s Bioscience Roadmap Steering Committee.

The selected companies will be announced March 6 at the Flinn Foundation Bio Capital Conference in Phoenix.

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Here is the VC panel lined up for the 2025 Flinn Foundation Bio Capital Conference that will hear live pitches from three companies. Registration is still available.

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What a great kickoff meeting this week for the Flinn Foundation seed grants program’s 10th cohort at the University of Arizona’s Tech Launch Arizona in Tucson. The 10 research teams from U of A and Arizona State University received $100,000 each to help develop medical devices, diagnostics, therapeutics, and technology to treat brain tumors, migraines, chronic pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, pregnancy, cardiovascular disease, Parkinson’s disease, and colorectal cancer.

The Flinn Foundation has awarded 83 seed grants totaling about $9.5 million over a decade, helping accomplish the Arizona’s Bioscience Roadmap goal of increasing the ability of research-performing institutions to turn bench research results into improved disease and illness prevention, detection, and treatment.

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The February discussion at Venture Café’s Bio Night for entrepreneurs offered some key takeaways from Jerry Gibson, Matt Likens, and Shane Brown:

• Gain industry experience but recognize when to pivot before becoming complacent;
• Lead with a “we” mindset rather than an “I” mindset;
• Build a strong company culture early by aligning with core values; and
• Keep teams engaged from the start—before incorporation or forming a board—through incentives like stock options and encouraging a shared sense of ownership.

For those looking to stay connected and continue learning, keep a look out for future Venture Café sessions each Thursday. Photo credit: Tom Kelly

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Are you a bioscience leader in Arizona looking for an opportunity to engage with public-policy issues and grow your network? 

The Arizona Center for Civic Leadership at the Flinn Foundation is seeking experienced Arizona leaders for its 2025 Flinn-Brown Fellowship. The deadline to apply is Feb. 28.

About 25 Arizonans from different backgrounds and industries will be selected to join the 465-strong Flinn-Brown Network and participate in the Flinn-Brown Academy this fall. This is a unique opportunity for civically engaged leaders seeking unparalleled learning, connections with top state leaders and policy experts, and personalized long-term support.

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The Flinn Foundation headed north this week for the Flagstaff Bioscience Event to explore what’s ahead for the biosciences in the community. This collaborative event at Lowell Observatory highlighted the many achievements and opportunities for the biosciences in Northern Arizona and helped us develop shared goals as we move toward this fall’s update of Arizona’s Bioscience Roadmap. Thank you to Richard Bowen at Genterra for organizing the event.

Calling all bioscience entrepreneurs! 

Venture Café Phoenix’s monthly Bio Night on Thursday, Feb. 6 will feature local entrepreneurs Jerry Gibson, chairman & CEO, Venclose; Matt Likens, senior advisor, GT Medical Technologies; and Shane Brown, board director, Neuralert, in the session, “From Vision to Reality: Bioscience Innovators Shaping Phoenix.” The power of entrepreneurship to catalyze and diversify the economy is a longtime focus of Arizona’s Bioscience Roadmap. The session begins at 4:30 p.m. at 850 PBC in downtown Phoenix.

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Arizona State University has named Sarah Hollingsworth “Holly” Lisanby as founding dean of the ASU School of Medicine and Advanced Medical Engineering, which is scheduled to open in fall 2026 in downtown Phoenix with HonorHealth serving as the primary clinical affiliate.

Lisanby, a psychiatrist, is professor emeritus at Duke University and director of the Division of Translational Research at the National Institute of Mental Health. When Lisanby starts her position May 1 she will be leading the flagship of ASU Health, which will be key to advancing the goals of the Roadmap.

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Dr. Corey Casper’s appointment as Banner Health’s chief research officer frees up Dr. Eric Reiman, a leader in Alzheimer’s disease research and care, and his colleagues to pursue the goal of finding effective Alzheimer’s prevention therapies within 2-4 years. Reiman is chair of the Flinn Foundation’s board of directors.

Dr. Casper is a physician-scientist with experience in complex research, training and clinical care programs at Access to Advanced Health Institute, Fred Hutch Cancer Center and University of Washington.

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Be on the lookout the next time you are on Central Avenue in midtown Phoenix for a Flinn Foundation banner promoting our dedication to the biosciences as well as the Foundation’s 60^th anniversary.

The Flinn Foundation for more than two decades has publicly shared performance data marking the state’s progress in the biosciences—in jobs, wages, NIH grants, R&D expenditures, venture capital, and university tech transfer.

It’s been a great story to share as Arizona became one of the fastest-growing bioscience states. Check out the most recent data released last year and stay tuned for details about new data coming this April as we wind down the current iteration of Arizona’ Bioscience Roadmap.

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It’s been an honor for the Flinn Foundation to host the “Micro to Macro” bioscience-themed art exhibition which ends this week. The 29 works of art explored themes of scientific discovery, research, exploration, illness, recovery, and the connection between art and health care.

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The 2025 conference, “Managing Growth and VC Capital As You Scale,” brings together investors and the startup community with a specific focus on the biosciences and health tech. The all-day event at Creighton University’s Health Sciences Campus will feature keynote speakers, panel discussions, fireside chats, plenty of networking opportunities, and more.

Registration and the agenda are now available. The cost is $50, which includes a continental breakfast, lunch, and post-conference reception.

This annual conference, formerly known as the Arizona BioPreneur Conference, is an integral way for Arizona to reach the goals of Arizona’s Bioscience Roadmap.

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It’s Thursday, which means the Flinn Foundation’s Arizona Bioscience News was delivered to inboxes throughout the state. Subscribe and enjoy summaries of the week’s media stories highlighting bioscience research, startups, and more.

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Ten Arizona-based research teams from the University of Arizona and Arizona State University have each been awarded a $100,000 grant from the Flinn Foundation to help turn their findings into viable products and treatments that impact patients.

The Flinn Foundation Seed Grants to Promote Translational Research Program, which helps the state reach the goals of Arizona’s Bioscience Roadmap, awards researchers developing medical devices, diagnostics, therapeutics, and technology to treat a number of conditions.

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Statewide input is needed to make the next iteration of Arizona’s Bioscience Roadmap as inclusive as possible.
 
Arizona’s Bioscience Roadmap Steering Committee and the Flinn Foundation board of directors spent time toward the end of last year brainstorming ideas with SRI International as we build toward the fall 2025 release of the updated Roadmap. SRI has held focus groups and interviews throughout the state and are now reviewing results from a public survey.

Did you know Arizona’s Bioscience Roadmap was created in 2002? The Flinn Foundation commissioned the document to help identify opportunities for the state within the bioscience industry. Flinn hired Battelle Technology Partnership Practice to study its potential and found Arizona possessed many of the essential elements needed to become a global leader in niche areas of the biosciences.

It was a natural emphasis for the Foundation, which was created in 1965 by Dr. Robert and Irene Flinn in part to help Arizona’s traditional health care industry keep up with a booming population. Dr. Flinn was a cardiologist who headed the departments of cardiology and electrocardiography at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix and was co-founder and first president of the Arizona affiliate of the American Heart Association.

During the Roadmap’s first decade, Arizona strengthened its research infrastructure and expanded efforts to commercialize research into products, jobs, and companies. The state grew its industry base and became one of the nation’s fastest-growing bioscience states.