For immediate release:
December 15, 2014 – Chandler, Ariz.
D3Bio, a collaboration between the Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship Foundation (OTEF), an Arizona 501c3 corporation, and the Arizona Bioindustry Association, Inc. (AZBio), officially launched at AZBio Trailblazers on December 11, 2014. D3Bio will operate as a division under OTEF to support Life Science Innovation and Life Science Innovators in Arizona and across the Rocky Mountain Southwest Region.
D3Bio will draw from OTEF’s strengths in entrepreneurial education and support combined with the deep knowledge of what it takes for life science innovation and life science innovators that AZBio brings through the combined experience of its leadership and its members which include both global leaders and innovators from across Arizona’s healthcare and bioscience community.
“The mission of D3Bio is to support life science innovation and life science innovators along the pathway from discovery to development to delivery” shared Joan Koerber-Walker, President & CEO of AZBio and Chairman of OTEF. “In addition, through AZBio’s membership in the Coalition of State Bioscience Institutes (CSBI), D3Bio will be able to draw on the experience and best practices of state based life science institutes across the country in the areas of talent/workforce development and life science entrepreneurship.
The Arizona Bioscience Roadmap 2013-2025: Advancing the Biosciences and Improving Health Outcomes report published by the Flinn Foundation in 2014 identified five focus areas that will shape D3Bio’s strategic focus:
- Entrepreneurial Hub: Form a hub of bioscience entrepreneurs and new enterprises across Arizona
- Research into Practice: Increase the ability of research-performing institutions to turn bench research results into improved disease/illness prevention, detection, and treatment, plus bio-agriculture and industrial biotechnology products
- Bio-Talent: Make Arizona a bio-talent powerhouse where such talent is developed, educated, trained, and retained
- Connectivity: Promote Arizona to economic partners in neighboring states, Canada, and Mexico as a place where bioscience research, health care delivery, and commercialization seamlessly intersect
- Collaboration: Pioneer a new level of commitment to partnerships to sustain and enhance the state’s “collaborative gene” reputation
D3Bio’s first program will launch in 2015 and will focus on filling gaps in Arizona’s life science support infrastructure in the area of Bio-Talent by creating a statewide internship job board for students from Arizona high schools, community colleges, and universities containing internship opportunities within Arizona’s life science community including: bioscience companies, medical device companies, healthcare delivery companies, and health IT companies.
Modeled after the successful Internship Challenge developed at the Massachusetts Life Science Center (MLSC), the D3Bio Internship Program will facilitate the placement of students and recent graduates who are considering career opportunities in the life sciences in paid or unpaid internships across the state.
The goal of the D3Bio Internship program is to support our educational institutions in developing the talent pipeline for Arizona companies engaged in life sciences.
A successful program will expand the pool of prospective employees who have practical experience, enhance opportunities for mentoring, and provide students interested in working in the life sciences with the connections needed to gain real world experience.
D3Bio officially launched at the AZBio Trailblazer Awards and Legislative Luncheon on December 11, 2014 with over 200 industry leaders in attendance. Members of the community are encouraged to learn more at www.D3Bio.org and donations may be made to OTEF for D3Bio on the website.
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About D3Bio:
D3Bio is collaboration between the Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship Foundation (OTEF), an Arizona 501c3 corporation, and the Arizona Bioindustry Association, Inc. (AZBio). D3Bio is an operating division of OTEF and all funds designated for D3Bio are accepted by and administered by OTEF.
About OTEF:
Founded in 2005, the Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship Foundation is a 501c3 Non-Profit Corporation (Tax ID #20-377920) focused on entrepreneurial training and support. OTEF began a series of annual entrepreneurship conferences (AZEC) beginning in 2006. The conferences were held Maricopa County during National Entrepreneurship week from 206 – 2013. Proceeds from these programs funded programs including: Entrepreneurial training programs with SEEDS House and Tumbleweeds, design support for SAARC’s culinary entrepreneurship program, Blue Print for Survival™ providing entrepreneurial workshops for displaced workers from 2007-2009, SEEDs for Autism entrepreneurial training, and other entrepreneurial training programs. Learn more at: http://www.d3bio.org/otef
About AZBio:
The Arizona Bioindustry Association – is comprised of member organizations in business, research, government, and other professions involved in the biosciences. AZBio supports the members of the Arizona bioscience community by providing access to the key resources, connections, and information that support their ability to Connect, Collaborate, Innovate and Succeed thus supporting the growth of a thriving economic ecosystem for Arizona’s Bioscience Industry.
For more information on AZBio, visit www.AZBio.org and www.AZBio.TV
Contact:
Joan Koerber-Walker, Arizona Bioindustry Association
jkw@azbio.org 480-332-9636
Video of the D3Bio Launch is available at: http://youtu.be/UiHZgqWf7_g
Print quality images are available upon request.