By University of Arizona Health Sciences
The University of Arizona Health Sciences Center for Advanced Molecular and Immunological Therapies received a strong vote of support from the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors with the June 28 approval of $4M in funding for the life sciences innovation hub being developed on the Phoenix Bioscience Core in downtown Phoenix.
The Center for Advanced Molecular and Immunological Therapies, or CAMI, builds on the idea that the most effective defense against health issues is the body’s natural immune system. CAMI will advance knowledge of the immunology of cancers, infectious diseases and autoimmune conditions. The goal is to develop novel strategies for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases, including COVID-19 and long COVID.
The $4M investment comes from federal funds provided to Maricopa County through the American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA.
The work done by CAMI researchers will support the health of underserved communities and address the disproportionate impacts of current and future pandemics on the most vulnerable Arizonans. Studying the underlying causes of disease susceptibility and developing an immune profile of Arizonans at high risk for infection can lead to the creation of targeted, precision-based treatments to protect Arizona’s most vulnerable residents.
With an estimated return on investment of 2.5-to-1 in the first 10 years, CAMI is expected to increase economic activity in Arizona by at least $3.9B with an increase of at least $140M in new local tax revenue for Maricopa County and Phoenix.
CAMI was started with New Economy Initiative funding provided to the University of Arizona by the state legislature and allocated to UArizona Health Sciences. It has received strong government and philanthropic support, including $150M in state funding announced last year. (Source)
