Why start a bioscience business in Arizona? Or move your business here? Why accept a position at one of our leading firms, research institutes, hospitals, or universities?

The reasons are many and the result of a decades-long, statewide dedication to advancing the biosciences in Arizona.

• Fast-growing hub

  Arizona has emerged as one of the fastest-growing bioscience states in the nation.

  The most recent Arizona’s Bioscience Roadmap Progress Report found that the state’s bioscience industry job growth far outpaces the nation. The state just posted record years in R&D expenditures, NIH grants, and securing venture-capital investments.

• Friendly business environment

  Arizona is an inexpensive state in which to run a business. It’s tax- and regulatory-friendly. In the biosciences, the Angel Investment Tax Credit and Research & Development Tax Credit are key tools that spur investment in startup and emerging companies. In addition, Arizona is one of few states with low risk of natural disasters. Learn more from the Arizona Commerce Authority and this brochure.

• Statewide plan

  Since 2002, Arizona has followed a strategic plan to build its bioscience sector, Arizona’s Bioscience Roadmap. It’s the longest-running, actively managed, statewide bioscience plan in the nation. The plan is guided by a steering committee of more than 100 leaders in science, industry, academia, and policy from across the state, and implemented by scores of companies and organizations that compose Arizona’s bioscience sector.

• Higher Education

  Arizona is home to three public research universities— Arizona State University ($618 million in research expenditures in 2018), Northern Arizona University ($53 million), and the University of Arizona ($687 million).

  These universities offer numerous leading programs in areas of importance to the biosciences, including biomedical research, engineering, pharmacy, nursing, optics, business, entrepreneurship, and more.

  Private colleges such as Creighton University, with its new health sciences campus, and Grand Canyon University help to produce a pipeline of workers, as does a robust network of 10 community-college districts.

  Arizona has four allopathic medical schools: University of Arizona College of Medicine-Tucson; University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix; Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine; Creighton University School of Medicine. The state also has two osteopathic schools: Midwestern University and A.T. Still University.

• Research Institutes

  Independent research institutes add diversity, strength, and acclaim to Arizona’s bioscience sector. Leaders include the Translational Genomics Research Institute, an affiliate of City of Hope; International Genomics Consortium; and Critical Path Institute.

• Research Hospitals

  Given their extensive research activities, Arizona’s hospitals are critical to its bioscience ecosystem. Prominent systems include Banner Health, Barrow Neurological Institute, Dignity Health, HonorHealth, Mayo Clinic, Northern Arizona Healthcare, and Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

  Key programs that have contributed greatly to scientific discovery and patient benefit include the Banner Alzheimer’s Institute and Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center. The state also has substantial activity in clinical trials, drawing from a highly diverse population.

• Diverse Industry Base

  Arizona has leading large-scale companies— W.L. Gore, McKesson, Medtronic, Bristol Meyers Squibb, Roche, Bayer—as well as a fast-developing pipeline of homegrown startups and emerging companies in the biosciences.

  More than 1,000 companies and other organizations are included in the searchable database of the Arizona BioMap.

• Growing Investor Base

  Angel investors play a vital role in propelling Arizona’s growing enterprises, especially Desert Angels and Arizona Tech Investors.

  While in the past firms needed to look beyond the state for venture funding, over the past few years Arizona has had several funds launch, such as BlueStone Ventures, UAVenture Capital, Blue Venture Fund, invisionAZ, and Golden Seeds.

• Vibrant Ecosystem

  The bioscience ecosystem is propelled by a proliferation of new organizations across the Phoenix, Tucson, and Flagstaff metro areas in recent years: incubators and accelerators, coworking spaces, investment groups, entrepreneurial support groups, pitch competitions, associations, networking groups, economic-development organizations, and more.

  Find them on the Arizona BioMap.

  Arizona has developed a national reputation for a “collaborative gene,” a proven tradition of organizations—even competitors in the marketplace—working together. Though boasting large cities, Arizona’s business and civic character has more of a small-town feel.

• Phoenix Biomedical Campus

  Collaboration is a way of life across a 30-acre campus in downtown Phoenix.

  The grounds feature important academic and research units of all three public universities, plus the University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Translational Genomics Research Institute, International Genomics Consortium, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bioscience High School, and a growing industry base.

  Hundreds of thousands of square feet of research space are in development for research and industry, including an innovation district being designed by Wexford Science & Technology.

• Funding Competitions

  Entrepreneurs can find guidance, mentorship, critique, credibility, and rewards through numerous pitch competitions, such as the Arizona Innovation Challenge, IDEA Funding, Venture Madness, and the Flinn Foundation Entrepreneurship Program.

• Quality of Life

  As other hubs of innovation have seen skyrocketing cost of living, Arizona has remained significantly more affordable. The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, for instance, ranks Arizona 26th highest nationally in its latest Regional Price Parities index.

  A state of great natural beauty, Arizona features not only Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest, and Saguaro National Parks, but also 90 federally designated wilderness areas. From its small towns to major cities, the state boasts diverse cultures, modern infrastructure, and extensive offerings in arts and culture, sports, and more. Learn more.

• In Their Own Words