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Southern Arizona's bioindustry is home to over 100 biotech companies engaged in sectors such as medical devices, pharmaceutical R&D, medical imaging, industrial products, and biomaterials. Over half of these firms are involved with product development and/or manufacturing, about 40 percent perform laboratory research and about 30 percent are involved in clinical testing programs.
In 2003, the State of Arizona began implementing the Arizona Biosciences Roadmap, a 10-year strategic plan for Arizona to invest in one of the fastest-growing sectors of the economy. The mission of this action plan is for Arizona to become a leading southwestern state in selected biosciences, built around world-class research, clinical excellence, a growing base of cutting-edge enterprises, and supporting firms and organizations. A Southern Arizona Biosciences Roadmap is currently being developed that aligns with the state’s Roadmap.
Science Foundation Arizona (SFAz) was launched in the spring of 2006 by the three statewide CEO groups: Flagstaff 40, Greater Phoenix Leadership, and Southern Arizona Leadership Council in an effort to build on the pioneering work done by the Flinn Foundation and their consultants, the Battelle Memorial Institute, in creating the Arizona Bioscience Roadmap. SFAz's organization includes a nationally recognized board of directors and biosciences expert Bill Harris as Executive Director, along with $35 million in state funding.
In Southern Arizona there is a vibrant entrepreneurial environment for launching and incubating early-stage technology companies. Innovation is evident at the Critical Path Institute (The Institute) and BIO5, two bioscience entities utilizing revolutionary collaboration models.
Through a prestigious partnership among the Food and Drug Administration, the University of Arizona, and SRI International, The Institute fosters and conducts research and educational programs that will enable the FDA and the pharmaceutical industry to accelerate the development of safe, innovative new drugs.
BIO5 is a bioresearch institute combining scientists from five disciplines -- agriculture, medicine, pharmacy, basic science, and engineering -- to create partnerships that can solve complex biological issues.
Both The Institute and BIO5 fuel economic development by facilitating the commercialization of new products.
Bioscience Industry Highlights
Tucson and Southern Arizona
- More than 100 local companies
- 2,000 employees (nonhospital)
- 112 nonhospital bioscience establishments
- 21.9% increase in region's nonhospital bio employment, 2001-2004
- $40,004, annual average biosciences wage
- $6 billion in revenues
(source: University of Arizona; Bioindustry Organization of Southern Arizona; Southern Arizona High-Tech Connection, 2006; and Arizona Daily Star 2006)
Major Employers
(source: Book of Lists, 2008)
Education
- The University of Arizona has 22 Life Science related degree programs. The Arizona Health Science Center, Sarver Heart Center, Arizona Respiratory Center and Arizona Cancer Center are known worldwide for research productivity and clinical trials management.
- The University of Arizona Colleges of Agriculture, Science, and Engineering & Mines produced 157 Ph.D., 410 M.S. and 1517 B.S. graduates in 2004-2005.
- The University of Arizona's College of Science, a national leader in Applied Bioscience programs, now offers a Master's Degree in Applied Bioscience.
- Pima Community College offers applied degree programs in bioscience topics.
Other Facts
- Tucson's largest international company, Ventana Medical Systems, Inc., has more than 400 of its 580 employees located in Tucson.
- SEBRA Engineering and Research Associates, which produces specialty catheters and blood processing equipment, is also headquartered in Tucson.
- Tucson is also known for its advances in science with the Critical Path Institute, a joint venture of The University of Arizona, SRI International and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, joining the university's BIO5 Institute for biomedical research.
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