Bioscience
Building Arizona as a global center for research and commercialization in the biosciences.
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Bioscience in Arizona
The Flinn Foundation supports the biosciences in Arizona through research and entrepreneurship grants as well as stewardship of Arizona’s Bioscience Roadmap, guiding the growth and development of the state’s bioscience sector. A third iteration of the Roadmap will be released in fall 2025.
The Roadmap’s tagline, “Advancing the Biosciences and Improving Health Outcomes” recognizes the broad spectrum of the biosciences, including research, academia, and product commercialization, as well as the central role of health care within the bioscience sector.
The biosciences improve our world by developing treatments for health afflictions with safer and more affordable medicines, creating diagnostics that gauge and prevent illness, and strengthening our food supply. In addition, the biosciences strengthen and diversify our economy by creating cutting-edge companies and high-paying jobs.
Flinn to debut BioStorytellers series Dec. 5
The Flinn Foundation is debuting its BioStorytellers series at Venture Café Phoenix’s Bio Night on Thursday, Dec. 5.
Ever been curious about the real story behind an innovative product? Then join three Flinn Foundation Bioscience Entrepreneurship Program participants—Anthony Dietz of Paxauris, Courtney Williams of Emagine Solutions Technology, and Jasmine Bhatti of Navi Nurses—as they pull back the curtain to share their “aha” moment, moderated by the Flinn Foundation’s Stacy Sullivan.
“Aha!: Entrepreneurs share the moment that led to their innovation” will begin at 4:30 p.m. at 850 N. 5th St. in Phoenix. [Register]
Flinn entrepreneurship program application due Dec. 16
Each year, the Flinn Foundation Bioscience Entrepreneurship Program offers funding, professional support, connections, and networking opportunities to Arizona early-stage bioscience companies. This year, the program is piloting a new format as we await an update of Arizona’s Bioscience Roadmap that will extend beyond 2025.
Ten finalist companies will be selected for interviews, of which two will be awarded up to $100,000 each in project costs, professional development, and consulting services administered through a nonprofit partner. The remaining eight companies may elect to work with the Flinn Foundation to leverage the benefits of our network and advisors. The submission deadline is Monday, Dec. 16 at 5 p.m. [Apply]
Sampath Rangasamy’s personal journey leading to improved diabetes treatment
Sampath Rangasamy was just a child when he was taken by his father past the rice fields and palm trees of his rural South India farming village to a nearby medical clinic. He had been losing weight, was seriously ill and needed immediate care. Once he was stabilized, he learned that his daily life would never be the same.
Rangasamy was told by his doctor there would not be a quick cure for his Type 1 diabetes. Today, the Flinn seed grant awardee not only successfully manages his condition, but is developing a smartphone application to support others in the same situation. [Read more]
Joanna Yang Yowler named Flinn bioscience program manager
Joanna Yang Yowler, Ph.D., joined the Flinn Foundation in August as program manager, translational biosciences and entrepreneurship. Yang Yowler will support the translational research seed grants and bioscience entrepreneurship programs and be present in the community to help foster Arizona’s bioscience ecosystem.
Before joining Flinn, Yang Yowler developed community-based research partnerships in health and education at Mayo Clinic in partnership with InSciEd Out Foundation. After leaving Mayo, she directed the Tenderloin Science Project for R&D Impact Foundation in San Francisco. Joanna earned her doctorate in biomedical sciences from Mayo Clinic’s Clinical and Translational Sciences program. As a Flinn Scholar, she graduated with a bachelor’s in biological sciences from Barrett, the Honors College at Arizona State University. [Read bio]
Three bioscience growth areas identified in Flinn Foundation-sponsored study
A new study of the Phoenix area’s bioscience ecosystem has identified three areas poised for rapid growth and global impact at the Phoenix Bioscience Core and in surrounding regional hubs of research and innovation.
The report, “Leveraging the Phoenix Region’s Bioscience Assets for Sustained Economic Growth,” identifies how precision oncology/medicine; digital health, weartech, and medtech; and translational neurosciences can grow the state’s bioscience and biomedical industry through partnerships between industry, clinical care, and academic research and development. [Read more]
News and Updates
Bioscience
Arizona Bioscience News: 2024 Arizona Innovation Challenge winners; $3.3M to U of A Health Sciences; Flagstaff Medical Center safety grade
Here are the 2024 Arizona Innovation Challenge winners / AZ Big Media
Three bio and life sciences companies—DataBiologics, Metfora, and MiiHealth—have been named 2024 Arizona Innovation Challenge awardees and will participate in Venture Scale, Arizona’s flagship accelerator program for the state’s most promising startups. Read more: 10 startups named winners of 2024 Arizona Innovation Challenge
Bioscience
Arizona Bioscience News: Banner Health grant; Discovery Oasis biotech campus; 2024 Governor’s Innovation Awards; Valley Fever cases rise
Phoenix-based Banner Health receives $74.5 million grant to study Alzheimer’s / Arizona Republic
The Banner Alzheimer’s Institute in Phoenix received a $74.5 million five-year grant from the National Institutes of Health to conduct a study with members of an extended family in Colombia who carry an inherited genetic mutation that has been linked to early-onset Alzheimer’s.
Bioscience
Arizona Bioscience News: UA CAMI groundbreaking; Caris Life Science FDA approval; Hispanic Alzheimer’s
University of Arizona breaks ground on new research hub for immunological therapies / KJZZ
The University of Arizona has broken ground on its new Center for Advanced Molecular and Immunological Therapies (CAMI) building, a downtown Phoenix biomedical research hub expected to be completed in 2027.
Bioscience
Flinn Foundation opens entrepreneurship program application
Each year, the Flinn Foundation Bioscience Entrepreneurship Program offers funding, professional support, connections, and networking opportunities to Arizona early-stage bioscience companies. This year, the program is piloting a new format as we await an update of Arizona’s Bioscience Roadmap that will extend beyond 2025. Ten finalist companies will be selected for interviews, of which two […]
For information about Bioscience, please contact:
bioscience@flinn.org or (602) 744-6831
