Tucson Standard

The University of Arizona Health Sciences Center for Advanced Molecular and Immunological Therapies (CAMI) will receive more than $20 million in funding from the Phoenix City Council following a unanimous vote of support on Wednesday.

CAMI, a biomedical research hub being developed on the Phoenix Bioscience Core in downtown Phoenix, is expected to break ground this fall at the southwest corner of Seventh and Fillmore streets. The seven-story, 200,000-square-foot building will benefit from various forms of city support over time, including $16.5 million in payments from the city’s Downtown Community Reinvestment Fund and abatement of ground lease rent for the term of the project.

"There is a culture of entrepreneurship in Arizona, especially in Phoenix," said University of Arizona President Robert C. Robbins. "CAMI represents a convergence of talents, not only at the University of Arizona but also including the great partners we have at ASU, NAU and TGen. I am so appreciative to the Phoenix City Council for supporting our vision for CAMI, for the Phoenix Bioscience Core and for the state."

The Wednesday vote followed a June 12 unanimous vote by the city's four-member Economic Development and Housing Subcommittee that support for CAMI be forwarded to the full council for consideration.

"Phoenix is among the top five of the nation's emerging life sciences markets and No. 1 for job growth in life sciences in emerging markets," said Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. "We are confident that CAMI will further enhance our status as a significant force in the national bioscience industry while contributing to vital growth in our local and state economies."

Mayor Gallego is a member of the CAMI Advisory Council, which comprises more than 20 distinguished leaders from academic research, biomedical and health care industries, government, and private corporations across Arizona. Their guidance aims to ensure that CAMI's work translates into real-world outcomes to improve Arizonans' health and advance precision medicine solutions to pressing health issues such as cancers, infectious diseases, and autoimmune conditions.

"Mayor Gallego and the Phoenix City Council have a strong history of championing health sciences advancement in Phoenix," said Dr. Michael D. Dake, senior vice president for University of Arizona Health Sciences. "This financial investment speaks to CAMI's value through innovative translational research, startup activity, and corporate engagement."

Led by inaugural executive director Deepta Bhattacharya, CAMI is expected to generate a return on investment of 2.5-to-1 within its first ten years. An economic impact report anticipates an increase in economic activity by at least $3.9 billion thanks to CAMI, generating at least $140 million in new local tax revenue for Phoenix and Maricopa County.

"CAMI will be an exciting addition to downtown," said councilwoman Kesha Hodge Washington who represents Council District 8 where CAMI will reside. "The Phoenix Bioscience Core is part of our community; CAMI aligns with our larger vision by combining health sciences academics with community engagement and workforce development."

CAMI focuses on leveraging advanced immunotherapies research into novel strategies for diagnosing, preventing, and treating diseases based on enhancing immune system defenses against disease.

Initially funded through New Economy Initiative funding provided by legislation allocated to UArizona Health Sciences along with strong government support including $150 million in state funding plus $4 million county funding.

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