PHX Reporter

The University of Arizona (UA) Health Sciences Center for Advanced Molecular and Immunological Therapies (CAMI) facility recently received $150 million in state funding.

CAMI will support research and development of the next generation of precision health care treatments, according to a news release from the university. Researchers and physician-scientists will develop new cell- and gene-based therapeutical treatments for diseases.

"We are immensely thankful to Gov. [Doug] Ducey for his support of CAMI," Robert Robbins, president of the university, said in the news release. "Immunotherapy is the future of medicine. CAMI will allow the University of Arizona to remain on the forefront of medical research and meet the grand challenges of cancer, infectious diseases, and autoimmune conditions by advancing our knowledge of the immunology of these serious health issues. With the generous financial support of the state, we will accelerate the development of novel strategies for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of the most devastating diseases to improve the health of all Arizonans."

CAMI will be located in downtown Phoenix at the Phoenix Bioscience Core, the news release noted.

"It is not often that an opportunity to benefit Arizonans in such diverse ways presents itself, as it has with CAMI," Ducey said in the news release. "As it grows, CAMI is poised to bring new jobs and businesses to Arizona, bolstering the economy not only in Maricopa County but also across the state. More importantly, the research CAMI will advance and bring to fruition offers Arizona residents the hope of new treatments that will positively impact their health and well-being. My thanks to President Robbins and the University of Arizona for their dedication to building a healthier Arizona."

Michael Dake, senior vice president for University of Arizona Health Sciences, said CAMI will help revolutionize gene therapy.

"There is not a field with more explosive growth than immunotherapy," Dake said in the news release. "We are seeing rapid growth in research investments and increased formation of academic and industry partnerships around the world. We expect CAMI to be nothing short of a national biomedical research hub, and we are incredibly grateful to Gov. Ducey for supporting that vision by investing in what will be a transformational center for Phoenix and the state of Arizona and its residents."