Alston, Brophy McGee, Carter, Dial, Driggs, McCune Davis, Meyer, Pierce, Tobin, Worsley, and Yee recognized for supporting research, education, innovation and the growth of Arizona’s bioscience sector by the Arizona Bioindustry Association.
October 8, 2014 – Chandler, Arizona
The Arizona BioIndustry Association (AZBio) will honor 11 Arizona Legislators on December 11, 2014 for their service to the community and for championing research, education, innovation, the growth of Arizona’s bioscience sector and ensuring that Arizona patients benefit from life science innovation. The honorees will be recognized by the leaders of Arizona’s bioscience and healthcare community at the 2014 AZBio Trailblazer Awards during a special appreciation luncheon for members, elected officials and legislators featuring a special keynote by the Honorable James C. Greenwood, President and CEO for the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO).
“Arizona’s bioscience sector is leading the way both in advancing science and in job creation” shared AZBio President and CEO, Joan Koerber-Walker. “While our leading educational, research, and industry partners are making it happen on the front lines, we rely on the support of our legislators and elected officials to clear the path for growth with a commitment to quality education, scientific discovery, and a business environment where companies are attracted to Arizona, created in Arizona and most importantly choose to stay and grow here.”
Over the last ten years, Arizona built major research facilities at its universities, formed new private research institutes, attracted top talent, created high-tech business incubators, and greatly expanded statewide STEM (science, technology, education, math) education programs. The number of Arizona bioscience industry jobs grew by 45 percent, nearly four times greater than the nation.
There are six industry segments that comprise the biosciences in Arizona: agricultural feedstock and chemicals; drugs, pharmaceuticals, and diagnostics; medical devices and equipment; research, testing, and medical labs; bioscience-related distribution; and hospitals. A 2014 economic-impact analysis by Battelle estimates the total revenue generated annually by Arizona’s bioscience industry—not counting hospitals—to be $14 billion. With hospitals included, the figure exceeds $36 billion.
Each year, AZBio shares with the community the key factors that lead to growth in this vital economic sector. The 2014 Trailblazer honorees were selected based on their engagement with the bioscience community as well as committee and voting records on key issues that shape the key bioscience growth factors.
Ceremonial signing of the Fair Access to Cancer Treatment Act (FACT Act)by Governor Janice K. Brewer at Scottsdale Healthcare’s Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center.
“Ensuring that Arizona patients benefit from the benefits of the life sustaining and life saving innovations our industry delivers is equally important,” shared Koerber-Walker. “A great example of how Arizona benefits when our industry, patient groups, and legislative leaders work together was H 2078, the Fair Access to Cancer Treatment (FACT) Act″ shared Koerber-Walker. “This legislation passed unanimously through both the Arizona Senate and the Arizona House ensuring that cancer patients have access to their medicines no matter what form they may be in when it was signed into law by Governor Brewer this year. We are greatly appreciative to everyone who came together at the Capitol to make this happen.”
Other examples of how the Arizona Legislature championed key issues for our life science industry and Arizona patients included:
- Reinstating reimbursement for insulin pumps so that patients with Diabetes can better manager their health;
- Adding science to school evaluation metrics so that our children are better prepared for 21st Century Careers;
- Expanding the Angel Investment Tax Credit to encourage Arizonan’s in to invest in innovation; and
- Streamline the technology transfer process at Arizona’s Universities.
The 2014 AZBio Trailblazer Honorees are:
- Speaker of the House Andy Tobin (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014)
- Representative Debbie McCune Davis (2012, 2013, 2014)
- Representative Eric Meyer (2014)
- Representative Heather Carter (2011,2012, 2013, 2014)
- Representative Jeff Dial (2013, 2014)
- Representative Kate Brophy McGee (2014)
- Representative Lela Alston (2014)
- Senator Adam Driggs (2014)
- Senator Bob Worsley (2013, 2014)
- Senator Kimberly Yee (2012, 2013, 2014)
- Senator Steve Pierce (2013, 2014)
AZBio Trailblazers 2011 – 2014
- Speaker of the House Andy Tobin (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014)
- Representative Chad Campbell (2011, 2012)
- Representative Debbie McCune Davis (2012, 2013, 2014)
- Representative Doris Goodale (2011)
- Representative Eric Meyer (2014)
- Representative Heather Carter (2011,2012, 2013, 2014)
- Representative Jeff Dial (2013, 2014)
- Representative Kate Brophy McGee (2014)
- Representative Lela Alston (2014)
- Representative Vic Williams (2011, 2012)
- Senator Adam Driggs (2014)
- Senator Al Melvin (2012)
- Senator Anna Tovar (2011, 2012, 2013)
- Senator Bob Worsley (2013, 2014)
- Senator Jack Jackson Jr. (2011)
- Senator John McComish (2012, 2013)
- Senator Kelli Ward (2013)
- Senator Kimberly Yee (2012, 2013, 2014)
- Senator Kyrsten Sinema (2011)
- Senator Leah Landrum Taylor (2012)
- Senator Michele Reagan (2011)
- Senator Rich Crandall (2011)
- Senator Steve Pierce (2013, 2014)
About the Arizona Bioindustry Association (AZBio)
As Arizona’s statewide life science industry association, AZBio works with companies and institutions across Arizona’s life science and healthcare industries to support the discovery, development and delivery of life science innovations. AZBio members include leading universities, research institutes and companies in the medical device, therapeutic, diagnostic, telemedicine, health IT, bioenergy, biomaterials and business sectors.
AZBio is the State Affiliate of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) located in Washington, D.C. and also collaborates on national issues with AdvaMed, PhRMA and other national and international organizations to move the Arizona Bioscience Industry forward faster.