FDA approves SynCardia’s artificial-heart power pack
7/17/14 | Phoenix Business Journal | Angela Gonzales
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has given the nod to Tucson-based SynCardia Systems Inc. to begin marketing its Freedom portable driver that powers the company’s total artificial heart.
Roche’s experimental Alzheimer’s drug raises hopes
7/16/14 | Wall Street Journal | Shirley S. Wang
Crenezumab, an experimental Alzheimer’s drug from Roche AG that is being used by Banner Alzheimer’s Institute in a $100 million prevention trial of 300 relatives in Colombia, failed to show an overall benefit on memory in a mid-stage clinical trial, but there were signs the drug did help people with more mild disease, raising hopes that it may yet be useful in prevention.
Two new Alzheimer’s drugs studied in Phoenix
7/15/14 | Arizona Republic | Ken Alltucker
Banner Alzheimer’s Institute in Phoenix will team with Novartis, a Swiss pharmaceutical company, to test two experimental drugs that aim to fend off Alzheimer’s disease in older adults who are at high risk but have not yet shown memory or thinking problems. Read also: Novartis plans Alzheimer’s study in symptomless patients
Banner study could unlock Alzheimer’s terrible secrets
7/15/14 | Arizona Republic | Editorial
Alzheimer’s dooms its victims and forces loved ones to watch as husbands, wives, mothers and fathers slowly disappear, one memory at a time, but there is hope and science behind efforts to change that led by the Valley’s Banner Alzheimer’s Institute.
Theranos bringing 500 new jobs to Scottsdale’s SkySong
7/15/14 | Phoenix Business Journal | Angela Gonzales
Palo Alto, California-based Theranos is expanding to Scottsdale, leasing a 20,000-square-foot wing at the newest SkySong building and hiring more than 500 people to staff the new operations. Read also: Health-care company to open SkySong operation
UA College of Medicine gets 8-year accreditation
7/14/14 | Tucson News Now | Angeline Carbajal
The University of Arizona College of Medicine’s medical education program received accreditation through 2022 by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, which determined the college stood out for its mentorship, counseling, community service, and service learning opportunities.
Ventana Medical under new leadership
7/12/14 | Arizona Daily Star | David Wichner
Oro Valley’s Ventana Medical Systems is under new leadership after its president and CEO stepped down recently.
Arizona Commerce Authority picks 18 tech companies for AZ Fast Grants
7/11/14 | Phoenix Business Journal | Hayley Ringle
Eighteen early-stage technology companies, including a number of bioscience companies, have been selected by the Arizona Commerce Authority for its annual AZ Fast Grant program. Read also: Five Peoria companies receive AZ Fast Grants
Brain trust: Interns get hands-on experience with gray matter
7/8/14 | CBS 5 | Katie Baker
An award-winning intern program at Banner Sun Health Research Institute in Sun City lets students get hands-on when it comes to learning about brains.
Laveen gets first hospital, Arizona General Hospital, in 2015
7/7/14 | Arizona Republic | Justine Petersen
Arizona General Hospital plans to open in the Laveen area southwest of downtown Phoenix in 2015, featuring 39,000 square feet, an emergency room, 16 inpatient rooms, two operating rooms, a laboratory and a radiology suite.