Biozona Weekly: Arizona

November 21, 2013

By hammersmith

Turnaround towns: How Orlando and Phoenix are making a comeback
11/20/13 | CNBC | Robin Michell

An investment in the biosciences sector was named as one of the reasons the Phoenix metro area is making an economic comeback after being hammered by the Great Recession just a few years earlier.

Tucson startup Sinfonía acquires UA drug-management program
11/20/13 | Arizona Daily Star | David Wichner

A medication management software and business model developed by University of Arizona faculty and researchers has been acquired by SinfoníaRx, a new division of Tucson startup Sinfonía HealthCare Corp.

Tallwave names companies in new health care startup competition
11/19/13 | Phoenix Business Journal | Hayley Ringle

Eleven entrepreneurs have been selected to participate in Scottsdale-based Tallwave’s new High Tide for Healthcare IT startup competition and innovation search where the winners will receive services and cash.

Researchers look to provide Valley parents with answers
11/19/13 | KTAR | Rob & Karie Show

A group of researchers at the Translational Genomics Research Institute are looking to provide an answer for parents of Valley children who have a rare disorder.

More dollars for science
11/18/13 | Arizona Capitol Times | Gary Grado

The state universities’ $1 billion request to upgrade research labs promises to bring fireworks to the Legislature, which last approved an appropriation for university research a decade ago. 

Grant to help power robotics clubs
11/18/13 | Yuma Sun | Sarah Womer

Science Foundation Arizona recently awarded a $250,000 robotics grant to benefit 15 robotics clubs in rural high schools, three of which are located in Yuma, where students will participate in a robot building project that requires teams to compete against one another.

Simulators help build a better drug trial
11/17/13 | Wall Street Journal | Jonathan Rockoff

Researchers have started using powerful computer simulators from Critical Path Institute to design better drug trials and help bring new medicines to market with fewer failures.

High cost of valley fever: Price of drug skyrockets
11/16/13 | Arizona Republic | Ken Alltucker

People with valley fever may have something else to cough, ache and sweat about: the spiraling cost of the most commonly prescribed drug to treat the airborne fungal disease.

Peoria’s model for success: BioInspire completes first year, ready for more
11/15/13 | Independent Newsmedia, Inc. | Rusty Bradshaw

A glowing report about the medical device incubator, BioInspire, presented to the Peoria City Council showed the original six companies produced 30 jobs with an average annual salary of $50,000 during its first year.

Innovator of the Year winners announced
11/14/13 | Arizona Republic | Staff Report

Yolia Health, which has developed a non-invasive procedure for treating vision problems, was named the Innovator of the Year for startup companies during the 10th annual Arizona Governor’s Celebration of Innovation Awards. See also: 2013 Governor’s Celebration of Innovation Awards winners announced

City offers program to help startups
11/14/13 | InMaricopa | Katie Mayer

The city of Maricopa’s newly created Maricopa Center for Entrepreneurship aims to help businesses thrive by providing training and support for entrepreneurs and connecting business owners with opportunities for startup funding.

Arizona shouldn’t abandon its bioscience investment

11/12/13 | Arizona Republic | Phil Boas

A decade ago, Arizona made huge investments in the biosciences, and in particular biomedicine, with hundreds of millions of dollars in public and private financing. Now it faces the next big question: Will it continue to support this effort? See also: 4 steps Arizona can take to recommit to biomedicine; The New Arizona, Part 5, Health care