Arizona State University and Wexford Science & Technology, LLC announced the Bioscience Growth Accelerator, a new program for life science startups moving or expanding to Arizona to partner with Wexford and co-locate with ASU.

Companies who are accepted into the BGA program will receive a number of key benefits, aimed at lowering the cost of starting or expanding a company and increasing access to key resources and connections. These include:

• Free lab bench and private office for three months with a one-year commitment.
• Access to key services such as shared equipment, ASU Core Facilities and concierge services.
• Access to biomedical-related research, academic and clinical facilities aimed at advancing human health and bioscience.

The Bioscience Growth Accelerator will be located inside the Connect Labs by Wexford at 850 PBC. Connect Labs will fill the entire fifth floor of 850 PBC and will function as a co-working space for 15 or more life science companies. The BGA program will also include opportunities to build professional networks, provide access to talent and offer workforce development training.

“Wexford has seen in other markets that sometimes these startups, especially in the life science sector, have a hard time making it to the next step because of the high cost of lab build outs and lab equipment. The Bioscience Growth Accelerator is designed to be a bridge and grow the ecosystem,” said Wexford Vice President and Market Executive, Kyle Jardine. “Bringing this program to Phoenix along with Connect Labs will provide more resources, connectivity and support for the city’s growing life science community.”

Sense Neuro Diagnostics is the first company to be accepted into the program. It came to BGA through the Mayo Clinic ASU MedTech Accelerator, a joint accelerator program between the Mayo Clinic and ASU’s Alliance for Health Care. Sense Neuro develops non-invasive technology enabling rapid, comprehensive detection of stroke subtype + TBI, as well as continuous brain injury monitoring. The Cincinnati-based company announced in August 2021 it raised $2.43 million from the U.S. military to advance its technology in the field. 

“We have a very unique real estate asset with lab space, office space, and clinical facilities that is not found in many communities,” said Aric Bopp, executive director of economic development and Innovation Zones for ASU. “We are fortunate to have a world-class development partner like Wexford building state-of-the-art life sciences and biotech space in a dynamic city like Phoenix with a university focused on innovation, access, and impact.”

Connect Labs’ first group of companies will move into the space in December. When open and full Connect Labs will be home to over 15 life science, health tech and other companies, and add to the exciting dynamics of the Phoenix Bioscience Core. The space has core lab equipment for all available companies to use, private labs and offices, common conference and amenities, and two workforce training labs for the Center for Entrepreneurial Innovation LabForce program.

This is the first Connect Labs in the country for Wexford, which specializes in developing and operating Knowledge Communities alongside university partners. It currently has projects with the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University in Philadelphia; Washington University and the University of Missouri St. Louis in St. Louis; and many other markets. 

Wexford Science & Technology developed and opened 850 PBC with Arizona State University and has a letter of intent to develop the second and third buildings for ASU on the northern portion of the Phoenix Bioscience Core. These future developments, which are still in the design phases, could be as high as 12 to 14 stories, and include university and private lab and office space. Additional parts of the plan include ample public spaces including a green space, conference center and ground floor retail.

For more information about how to apply to the Bioscience Growth Accelerator or reserve a space in the Connect Labs at 850 PBC, contact Kyle Jardine at [email protected] or (480) 779-7181.

About the Phoenix Bioscience Core

The Phoenix Bioscience Core is the home to hundreds of researchers from ASU, Northern Arizona University and the University of Arizona, as well as renowned organizations such as the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), the International Genomics Consortium, Dignity Health Cancer Institute and much more. The City of Phoenix was recently named the #1 fastest growing life science job market among emerging markets, according to a report from CBRE.

The PBC is located in the heart of downtown Phoenix and situated in a walkable neighborhood full of restaurants, bars, entertainment venues and other nightlife. The neighborhood continues to thrive, as well, with five large apartment and condo projects happening within two blocks of the PBC, providing a unique environment for companies to grow.

About Wexford Science & Technology

Wexford Science & Technology, LLC, is a real estate company exclusively focused on partnering with universities, academic medical centers, and research institutions to develop vibrant, mixed-use, amenity-rich Knowledge Communities that are built on a foundation of research, discovery, innovation, entrepreneurial activity, corporate engagement, and community inclusion.  These Knowledge Communities create visible outcomes in the form of substantial economic growth, new and diverse jobs, and community transformation. Wexford targets strategic opportunities with top-tier research universities that are seeking to create knowledge-led economic development impact for their campuses, cities, and regions. Presently Wexford has developed sixteen Knowledge Communities across North America. For more information about Wexford, visit www.wexfordscitech.com.