Arizona Bioscience Week brings innovation to the state | AZ Big Media

While the youngest continental state, Arizona is also one of the fastest-growing by population.

The state has also built a name for itself for having an innovative, collaborative, business-friendly culture where people can jump into exciting industries.

One of those industries is bioscience.

The State of Arizona has put $1.5 billion toward investments in university research infrastructure and Arizonans contribute more than $1 billion through the Technology and Research Initiative Fund (TRIF), according to the Arizona Bioindustry Association (AZBio).

In that time the sector itself has grown with bioscience firms employing 25,686 people in 2016, and Arizona inventors being awarded nearly 2,000 bioscience-related patents since 2014.

“Arizona’s bioscience industry is committed to discovering, developing and delivering innovative medicines, medical devices and health care technologies that make life better for people in Arizona and around the world,” Joan Koerber-Walker, president & CEO of AZBio, said in a statement. “Arizona Bioscience Week is an opportunity for Arizonans and visitors from across the country to come together and see why Arizona is one of the top emerging bioscience states.”

To celebrate the progress in the bioscience industry, AZBio is holding its fourth annual Arizona Bioscience Week from September 30, 2019, to October 4, 2019.

Over the five days, there will be networking events, scientific conferences, investor conferences and more.

“Arizona Bioscience Week is an excellent example of our collaborative culture in action,” said Koerber-Walker. “Thanks to the combined efforts of leaders, financial supporters, and community partners, it provides an opportunity for Arizonans and guests from across the country to connect, engage, and experience life science innovation…Arizona style.”

Here’s a full list of festivities:

Bioscience Week will kick off on Monday, Sept. 30 with the Leading Women: Biotech and Beyond event. It will include a panel with Samira Kiani, MD of the Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University, Mitzi Krockover, MD of Golden Seeds and Brandy Wells of Pfizer as well as Laura Dueppen, Ph.D. of Perkins Coie, as moderator.

On Tuesday, Oct. 1, the Arizona BioPreneur Conference and Reception, which is tailored for bioscience entrepreneurs to meet, network and learn from well-versed professionals, will be at the Flinn Foundation.

The Discovering New Medicines in Arizona Summit will begin on Wednesday, Oct. 2 and be held on the Phoenix Biomedical Campus.

According to AZBio, “the summit will highlight key areas of research in discovering effective drug candidates in prevalent diseases in Arizona while establishing collaborations that enable success in these key areas and is presented by the Arizona Center for Drug Discovery and the University of Arizona Cancer Center.”

The AZBio Awards & Life Science Fiesta, or AZBio Awards, will also be happening on Oct. 2 at the Phoenix Convention Center. The event will celebrate life-science innovation and innovators by bringing together Arizona’s life science and leadership community with visitors from around the country.

AZBio will honor former Arizona Governor Jane Dee Hull with the AZBio Pioneer Award for Lifetime Achievement. After the ceremony, there will be a Student Discovery Zone showcasing the work of 50 students from different Arizona high schools, community colleges and universities.

On Oct. 3, the all-day 2019 Phoenix BioHealth Impact Forum will take place at the University of Arizona College of Medicine on the Phoenix Biomedical Campus. That evening a reception will be held at the Arizona Science Center.

Lastly, the Greater PHX Fest will wrap up the week by celebrating 30 years of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council.

For more information, click here.

This story was originally published at Chamber Business News.