Held at 850 Phoenix Bioscience Core (PBC) in the Center for Entrepreneurial Innovation (CEI) space, lab managers, techs, and operators share resources, solve problems, and drive innovation across the PBC ecosystem. CoLab is focusing on relationship building, peer-to-peer sharing, supporting and accepting help, learning something new, identifying shared assets, and sparking collaborations. 

The most recent meeting highlighted the BIO Conference 2025, XLR8 PBC, Calviri, and Arizona State Core Lab Facilities. 

BIO Conference 2025

In June, more than 22,000 attendees gathered in Boston for the annual BIO International Convention—the world’s largest biotech conference. Here are a few highlights from the City of Phoenix:

• Calviri is set to launch a groundbreaking early cancer detection test for dogs this August, capable of identifying tumors at Stage 1.
  
• Binary Genomics unveiled DNA-based blood tests that capture unique epigenetic fingerprints from each patient’s tumor, advancing personalized cancer diagnostics.
  
• MindXSciences introduced a suite of precision medicine tools for mental health, including mobile apps, blood tests, and targeted therapeutics.

Want to read more about what happened at the BIO Conference? Click here

XLR8 PBC

Scaling is one of the most challenging phases for bioscience startups—especially after clearing early development and adoption hurdles. That’s where the XLR8 PBC comes in.

XLR8 is a six-month, mostly virtual mentoring program designed to help companies prepare for large-scale capital infusion and commercial growth. Open to applicants worldwide, the program supports companies through the critical scale-up phase, a stage often underserved by traditional incubators and accelerators.

^{Brian Ellerman, Executive Director, XLR8 PBC}

Key details:

• The next cohort will be featured during Arizona Bioscience Week for a three-day event
  
• Participants will return in March for an Industry Showcase and Investor Conference
  
• Applications are open now through August 20

Calviri

Located at the Phoenix Bioscience Core since 2021, Calviri is dedicated to advancing cancer diagnostics for dogs. Their latest innovation is Stage One Plus, a simple blood test with 87% accuracy in detecting Stage 1 cancer—expected to launch in August 2025.

^{Luhui Shen, Calviri Principal Scientist}

This work is part of a broader effort to predict and prevent cancer through antibody-based immunological technologies that can detect cancer-related energy signals.

Key Research Efforts:

• VACCS Cancer Trial:
  The largest canine cancer vaccine study to date, involving over 8,000 dogs in a double-blind, 5-year trial aimed at evaluating vaccine effectiveness in real-world settings
  
• HAS Vaccine Trial:
  A separate study expanding the body of research on cancer immunoprevention
  

Technologies in Use:

• Customized peptide chip synthesis (9,000 chips)
  
• Semiconductor-grade chip technology capable of handling up to 4 million peptides
  
• InnoScan 910 AL: A high-density, two-color microarray scanner with autoloader
  

ASU Core Lab Facilities 

Arizona State University (ASU) is fueling bioscience research through an expansive infrastructure that includes:

• 35 individual facilities
  
• Over 100 expert-level staff
  
• More than 20 PhD-level scientists
  
• Supporting $58M in sponsored research projects
  
• Training 1,400+ hands-on trainees, including students, staff, and volunteers
  
• Providing access to 300,000 sq. ft. of dedicated research space

^{Valerie Harris, Director, Knowledge Enterprise Core Facilities Finance}

Key Research Hubs:

• Macrotechnology Works at ASU Research Park (Tempe Campus)
  
• 850 PBC in the Greater Phoenix Area
  
• Magnatum Prisma
  

Featured Equipment & Capabilities:

• Eyring Materials Center
  
• Nanofab (semiconductor research)
  
• Advanced Electronics and Photonics Facility
  
• Instrument Design and Fabrication Shop
  (Includes CAD services, CNC machining, and full custom builds)
  
• Clinical Research Services

Are you a lab professional on the PBC interested in joining the next meeting?
Contact Sharon Ducati, Communications Manager, sducati.pbc@azregents.edu 

By: Madisson Simental | August 7, 2025