What is Arizona CURE's latest project?
A leading medicine testing company named Covance has purchased land in Chandler, Arizona, and is building a facility at this location near the Chandler Airpark. City leaders and a large number of citizens support the project and the new, high-paying jobs it will provide. Arizona CURE's job is to work with the medical research industry to educate the public and our community leaders about the positive effects of bringing this industry to Chandler.
What kinds of medicines are researchers working on in Arizona?
Almost everyone's life has been touched by medicines that treat disease and cure illness. TGen in Phoenix is working on treatments for cancer, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) and many others. The Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale studies and treats many diseases, such as epilepsy, and performs clinical trials for new treatments for diseases like breast cancer. Covance's Arizona facility plans to test medicines, vaccines and treatments for diseases like Alzheimer's, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, leukemia and HIV/AIDS.
Do these researchers test medicine on animals as required by the FDA?
The medical testing done by Covance usually involves testing new medicines on rats and mice, but occasionally on other mammals, including primates. They don't test end-user cosmetics you might find on the shelf in your local grocery store. The Food and Drug Administration requires animals to be used when testing medicines and ingredients that affect the public, and it is the only viable option.
Who regulates animal testing?
Animal testing is strictly regulated by federal agencies such as the USDA and FDA under the U.S. Animal Welfare Act. These federal agencies conduct frequent, regular, random and unannounced (surprise) on-site inspections.
What is the economic impact of a new biotech facility on the local economy?
A new facility will create hundreds of good paying jobs and help attract new investment and businesses. Did you know that while the average industry wage in Arizona is $34,043, the typical wage of a biotech worker employed in Arizona is $43,359? According to the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, the typical regional economic impact of a company that hired 400 skilled workers would be $207 million in capital investment, an annual payroll of $26 million, and consumer spending of about $21 million.
How many jobs will this Covance facility create?
Covance plans to eventually employ about 2,000 people at the new facility.
