Three biotech companies were honored at the third annual Governor's Celebration of Innovation.

DMetrix Inc. was named the Start-up Innovator of the Year. The Tucson-based company is developing digital microscopes that pathologists can use to view images over the Internet. The scanner is the world's first digital-imaging device that combines 80 miniature microscope objectives in a single instrument.

DMetrix was also recently selected by the Wall Street Journal as one of 32 winners and runners-up in its international 2005 Technology Innovation Awards competition.

Intrinsic Bioprobes Inc., a Tempe-based biotech company, took home the award for Small Company Innovator of the Year. The company is developing technology to quickly analyze proteins and biomarkers in order to speed up the drug development process for treatments related to cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.

The Innovator of the Year in Academia went to Arizona State University's Center for Infectious Disease and Vaccinology. The center is a part of the Biodesign Institute. Tsafrir Mor, whose team boosted the immune response to HIV in mice, accepted the award. A second team, led by Charles Arntzen, is developing plant-derived topical medications to prevent HIV infection.

---

For more information:

Arizona Technology Council Press Release

"Gov. honors Ariz. innovators for progress," Arizona Republic, 11/17/2005

The Biodesign Institute at ASU

DMetrix

Intrinsic Bioprobes