Each year, AZBio recognizes the select few companies that have achieved outstanding and are accelerating innovation. Reference Medicine is one of these Fast Lane companies.
Cancer diagnostics play a critical role in the fight against cancer and are an essential component of the healthcare tool kit—from supporting early detection, which significantly improves the chances of successful treatment and survival, to helping guide vital treatments as precisely and early in the disease process as possible. While many screening and diagnostic tests exist today, a new wave of innovations is in development that holds the potential of improving accuracy, lowering costs, and ultimately, providing improved patient experiences and outcomes.
At the core of these advances are biological specimens—human tissue, blood, plasma, urine, and other fluids—that help fuel discovery and test development. Despite their critical importance, working with biospecimens can be frustrating, unpredictable and time-consuming. This is why standardized protocols and quality control measures are essential, ensuring the integrity and reliability of biospecimens for research. In order to address these challenges— to maximize the scientific and clinical value of biospecimens in the fight against cancer—a robust biobanking infrastructure, standardized procedures, and adherence to ethical principles are paramount.
Founded in Phoenix in 2021, Reference Medicine is redefining the future of oncology specimen procurement. Built by scientists for scientists, the company provides high-quality, richly annotated biospecimens to laboratories, biotech startups, academic researchers, and diagnostic developers—fueling the breakthroughs that lead to earlier cancer detection, better treatments, and enhanced patient outcomes.
Reference Medicine Founder and CEO Inga Rose
“Our mission is to elevate the status quo in biospecimen procurement so our clients can push the boundaries of cancer research and innovation, ” said Reference Medicine Founder and CEO Inga Rose. “Together, we’re transforming the future of diagnostics, one specimen at a time.”
With a model built on trust, transparency, and customer care, Reference Medicine is setting a new standard of efficiency in a historically inefficient industry. The company brings an “Uber-like” approach to biospecimen access: transparent pricing, real-time inventory visibility, rapid fulfillment, and responsive support. It’s more than just convenience—it’s scientific excellence, delivered with urgency and care.
“We don’t just fulfill sample requests—we anticipate needs, reduce costs and complexity for researchers, and ensure every patient’s sample donation is honored at every step,” said Rose. “That commitment to integrity and service has helped us become more than a vendor—we’re a trusted extension of our clients’ teams.”
Each year, AZBio recognizes the select few companies that have achieved outstanding and are accelerating innovation. Reference Medicine is one of these Fast Lane companies.
The Arizona life science community will honor Reference Medicine with an AZBio Fast Lane Award on Oct 15, 2025 at the AZBio Awards.
In 2024, Reference Medicine expanded its team by more than 40%. The company plans to expand its workforce by another 50% in the next 12 months based on continued revenue growth. Reference Medicine works with national companies as well as with Arizona-based innovators like Robust Diagnostics, TGen, FAKnostics, Precision Epigenomics, and Clinical Studies of AZ. They are also always eager to be a good research partner, co-authoring papers with other companies and organizations, and occasionally contributing specimens and expertise at no cost to help advance their missions.
Headquartered in the heart of Phoenix’s bioscience corridor, Reference Medicine is a magnet for top-tier talent, attracting scientists, lab technicians, and business development professionals from across the country and around the world.
“Our company culture is centered on empowering people who are passionate about science and service,” said Rose. “We’re proud to support Arizona’s innovation pipeline, having hired local interns through programs like AZAdvances and volunteered with schools like Phoenix Bioscience High School to inspire the next generation of scientific leaders.”
The Arizona life science community will honor Reference Medicine with an AZBio Fast Lane Award on Oct 15, 2025 at the AZBio Awards.