Investments drive the growth of Arizona’s innovation sector

As Arizona continues to recover from the economic challenges caused by the pandemic, investment in our innovation sector is an essential component of our state’s current and future growth strategies. Announcements of major new investments in Arizona by global leaders including BD, Exact Sciences, Intel, and TSMC are big news today. Yet, our greatest potential for future growth comes from the young companies that are emerging in our tech and medtech sectors.Continue reading

NeoLight Acquires Phoenix Technology Group

Scottsdale, AZ, Nov 17, 2021—NeoLight LLC (NeoLight), an ASU spinout and an Arizona based newborn medical device company, today announced it has acquired Phoenix Technology Group LLC (PTG), a leading provider of advanced ophthalmic imaging devices, including a telemedicine platform for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening, a leading cause of blindness in premature infants. The acquisition will expand the NeoLight product portfolio to include the ocular imaging devices Phoenix ICON™, Phoenix ICON™ GO, and the telemedicine platform Phoenix CONNECT™ (previously known as FocusROP). These products provide advanced ocular imaging through lens and light innovation, providing stunning ocular images that give clinicians the needed speed, confidence, and connectivity for patient exams.Continue reading

UArizona Researchers Develop Ultra-Thin ‘Computer on the Bone’

osseosurface electronic device applied to a synthetic bone Osseosurface electronic devices, which attach directly to the bone, could one day help physicians monitor bone health. It's show here applied to a synthetic bone in the Gutruf Lab at the University of Arizona. Image Courtesy of Gutruf Lab

osseosurface electronic device applied to a synthetic bone Osseosurface electronic devices, which attach directly to the bone, could one day help physicians monitor bone health. It’s show here applied to a synthetic bone in the Gutruf Lab at the University of Arizona. Image Courtesy of Gutruf Lab

Engineers and physicians teamed up to develop a wireless device to monitor and protect bone health.Continue reading

Life Science Leaders Weigh In On Build Back Better Provisions

On Friday, November 19, 2021, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Build Back Better bill on a 220-213 vote.  The bill now moves to the Senate for further review and action. Valued at close to $2 trillion, the bill includes  a potpourri of  Democratic social spending priorities that includes free preschool for 3 and 4 year old children, initiatives to fight climate change and affordable housing programs. The bill also includes increases to  Pell grants for college tuition, expands family leave, and provides new hearing benefit for seniors.   It also incudes “pay fors” including   increases corporate taxes, funds additional resources for IRS enforcement, AND implements price controls on certain medicines.  Investors and life science companies of all sizes have expressed serious concerns that if the latter provisions pass the Senate and are implemented the impact on future health innovation could be devastating. Continue reading