During the coronavirus pandemic, diagnostic laboratories became overburdened with COVID-19 testing. As former MIT engineer Oleg Gusyatin watched this unfold, he believed this trend forecasted future labor issues.
Arizona’s Bioscience Industry
In response to these challenges, Gusyatin co-founded Tucson-based Macula Vision Systems in 2021. This startup is developing a patent-pending, AI-assisted microscope designed to fully automate clinical laboratory analysis rapidly, accurately, and affordably with the aim to transform traditional optical diagnostics on a global scale. In recognition of its groundbreaking potential, Macula Vision Systems was honored in 2023 as a recipient of funding from the Arizona Commerce Authority’s (ACA) Arizona Innovation Challenge and in
2024 as a member of the Flinn Foundation’s 2024
Bioscience Entrepreneurship Program.
Arizona’s Booming Bioscience Industry
Macula Vision Systems exemplifies Arizona’s robust ecosystem for bioscience and health tech innovation companies, a sector that ranks second in the country for the creation of net new jobs. Greater Phoenix’s bioscience industry is built upon a network of leading healthcare and educational institutions innovating alongside pioneers in diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, personalized medicine, genomics, medical devices, cancer treatment, telemedicine, neuroscience and more.
According to a 2023 report by the Flinn Foundation, Arizona institutions received a record $365 million in NIH grants, an increase of 29% since 2020. This increase was three times the national average, aligning with job and wage growth in the state outpacing that of the nation between 2020-22.
Prospects
This momentum has continued with notable developments in Arizona’s healthcare and bioscience landscape:
Arizona State University (ASU) launched the ASU School of Medicine and Advanced Medical Engineering in downtown Phoenix with plans to bolster the medical workforce and enhance health outcomes statewide.
Northern Arizona University unveiled plans for its College of Medicine, focused on serving rural communities and training primary healthcare professionals.
The University of Arizona introduced the College of Health Sciences that will offer five new graduate degree programs.
Mayo Clinic’s Discovery Oasis, a pioneering 120-acre medical and research campus, will cluster research and development, medical equipment manufacturing and outpatient treatment facilities while aligning industry and educational leaders.
Barrow Neurological Institute opened a new cutting-edge Barrow Neuro Analytics Center at Park Central, expanding the research footprint into the areas of environmental neurology and health equity.
Recently designated Phoenix Medical Quarter is anchored by Creighton University’s four-year medical school in partnership with St. Joseph’s Hospital and represents a growing concentration of research, clinical and medical innovation.
Arizona is also home to leading global private-sector entities such as W.L. Gore, Roche Diagnostics, Medtronic, BD (also known as Becton, Dickinson and Company), Bristol Myers Squibb, Dexcom, Stryker, and others. Whether nurturing startups or supporting established bioscience giants, Arizona offers an environment for discovering innovations that drive economic growth and enhance health outcomes for all. With strategic initiatives and a thriving ecosystem in place, Arizona is poised to maintain its role in the bioscience sector for years to come.
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