“Partnerships with start-ups, companies, and professional industry organizations are instrumental in staying current with day-to-day changes in the biotech industry, enabling us to optimally support our members’ efforts to develop impactful insights that will help improve human lives,” said Uwe Hilgert, associate research professor and director of industry relations, workforce development and STEM training at the BIO5 Institute.

Commercialization

BIO5-affiliated researchers have launched 55 startup companies in the last decade, resulting in new technologies, diagnostics and treatments. BIO5 members work with the UArizona's Tech Launch Arizona to commercialize discoveries and facilitate collaborations among scientists, companies, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and economic development organizations.

“We also work closely with Tech Parks Arizona, which provides our researchers the space, infrastructure and support necessary to establish start-up companies and develop their ideas and research findings into commercially viable products,” said Hilgert.

Many BIO5-based companies have addressed challenges in medicine with novel therapies and biomedical devices. For example, Avery Therapeutics, founded by Steven Goldman, professor of medicine at BIO5 and the College of Medicine - Tucson, and Jordan Lancaster, assistant professor of medicine, is dedicated to advancing tissue-engineered therapeutics to treat diseases and injuries to human muscle. Their lead product, MyCardia™, is a tissue engineered heart graft developed to treat heart failure. This technology is positioned to be the world’s first off-the-shelf allogenic tissue-engineered product for treating heart failure.

Unique partnerships

The BIO5 Institute partners with groups across Southern Arizona to advance scientific research, communication, education and literacy.

Bioindustry Organization of Southern Arizona (BIOSA)

BIOSA is a non-profit trade group that supports the creation, operation, and expansion of life science enterprises and the commercialization of university-based technologies in Southern Arizona.

Together, BIOSA and BIO5 host the annual Student Industry Networking Event (SINE). SINE unites industry partners and UArizona students to explore our local life science community and opportunities for potential internships and careers in southern Arizona.

Arizona Technology Council

The Arizona Technology Council connects, empowers, and engages Arizona technology companies to educate and inspire innovation through educational seminars, business legislative lobbying and networking events.

The Arizona Technology Council partners with the BIO5 Institute to host events including the Tucson after5 Tech Mixer and Arizona Photonics Days.

Arizona Bioindustry Association (AZBio)

AZBio works with members across Arizona to support the bioscience industry. By providing access to key resources, connection and information, AZBio provides the foundation on which bioscience leaders connect, collaborate, innovate and succeed.

Together, BIO5 and AZBio support the industry in addressing various challenges like treating diseases, developing green energy and creating new technologies to feed the growing world. Our students and faculty have been recognized by the organization for their outstanding achievements, receiving several AZBio awards over the years.

AZ SciTech Institute

Part of the Arizona Technology Council, the AZ SciTech Institute helps connect and support Arizona's STEM leaders by attracting grants and resources. They aim to increase awareness and community knowledge, promote informal STEM education, and build a pipeline of STEM-literate workers. 

The AZ SciTech Institute has partnered with BIO5 on several events including Science City at the Tucson Festival of Books.