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- Posted Tuesday March 22, 2005
Grand Opening of TGen HQ Marks Milestone in Statewide Biotech Initiative
Phoenix Biomedical Center provides venue for bioscience,
research and development, and collaboration
PHOENIX, AZ, March 22, 2005--The Translational Genomics Research
Institute (TGen) and the International Genomics Consortium (IGC)
today announced the grand opening of its worldwide headquarters.
The six-story, $46 million city-owned building forms the
cornerstone of the Phoenix Biomedical Center (PBC), a planned
bioscience and medical research campus located in downtown
Phoenix.
TGen's President and Scientific Director, Dr. Jeffrey Trent,
expressed his pride and enthusiasm to nearly 1,000 people who
gathered for TGen's Dedication and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on March
22,2005. "This is a catalyst, a stimulus that will move the
biomedical sciences forward," he said.
Officials from TGen, IGC and the City of Phoenix joined with
Senator Jon Kyl, Governor Janet Napolitano, Mayor Phil Gordon, and
more than 500 guests to celebrate the building dedication and
ribbon cutting. Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D., Director of the
National Human Genome Research Institute, delivered the keynote
address.
"Building our biotech industry is very important for the state's
future economic growth and will benefit all its citizens," stated
Arizona's Governor Janet Napolitano. "We are committed to investing
resources to make our state successful and to enabling legislation
that will make Arizona more attractive to out-of-state companies
wishing to open or expand offices here."
Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano likened the dedication of the new
TGen building and Downtown Phoenix Biomedical Center to the opening
of the Roosevelt Dam 94 years ago. The dam brought life-giving
water to the Valley and helped Phoenix turn into a thriving
metropolis. "Years from now, people will look back and say 'I was
there when the ribbon was cut on the first building'," said
Napolitano.
Critical to the success of the PBC are commitments from the
University of Arizona, Arizona State University and others to
locate a College of Medicine, a College of Pharmacy and a College
of Nursing in downtown Phoenix and a potential School of Global
Health located nearby. "Thanks to unfailing hard work from people
throughout the state, the Phoenix Biomedical Center is becoming a
reality. As the keystone of this project, TGen and it's scientists
and research programs foster an environment of scientific
collaboration and innovation," says Dr. Jeffrey M. Trent, TGen's
President and Scientific Director. "The new headquarters' building
enables TGen to further its goal of developing improved diagnostics
and therapeutics to better the lives of people in Arizona and
around the world."
Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano cuts the ribbon to officially
open the new TGen building and Downtown Phoenix Biomedical Center.
(L-R Front Row) Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon, Speaker of the House
James P. Weiers, Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano, TGen President
and Scientific Director Jeffrey M. Trent, and Phoenix Councilman
Greg Stanton.
The PBC is an integral piece of the statewide bioscience initiative
and is expected to have a significant impact on biomedical
discoveries, the quality of health care for Arizona's residents and
the expansion and diversification of the state's economy.
"Bioscience is the fastest growing segment of the national economy.
We're confident that IGC, TGen and their unique strategic
partnership with the state's three universities and partnering with
research organizations across the country will enhance Arizona's
economy by bringing new industries and new jobs to the state," said
Richard Mallery, IGC chairman.
The PBC provides a unique, energetic environment that will attract
biotech and related companies to Phoenix and Arizona, from around
the nation and world, for business opportunities in R&D,
collaboration, partnering and office expansion.
"In addition to our rich cultural and entertainment venues,
Downtown Phoenix has the resources and infrastructure necessary to
attract and sustain world-class organizations and companies," said
Phil Gordon, Mayor of Phoenix. "We're excited to have TGen, IGC and
NIDDK in our midst and we invite biotech companies from out of
state and around the world to investigate the business
opportunities for R&D, collaboration and expansion that we
offer."
# # #
About TGen
The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a
not-for-profit organization whose primary mission is to make and
translate genomic discoveries into advances in human health.
Translational genomics research is a relatively new field employing
innovative advances arising from the human Genome Project to apply
to the development of diagnostics, prognostics and therapies for
cancer, neurological disorders, diabetes and other complex
diseases.
About IGC
The International Genomics Consortium (IGC) is a non-profit
genomics research institute that seeks to revolutionize the
treatment and prevention of cancer and complex diseases by
rigorously developing and applying post-genome science to advances
in human health. IGC is dedicated to the creation and
public-release of clinically annotated molecular databases
characterizing human disease. These databases are useful for
discovery and validation of new diagnostic markers and therapeutic
targets. Consortia members include medical centers, pharmaceutical
companies, biotechnology and informatics entities, as well as
foundations and government sponsors working in a private-public
partnership.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Galen Perry, TGen, (602) 343-8423
Amy Erickson, TGen, (602) 343-8522
Cynthia Weaver, City of Phoenix, (602) 262-6180
