After a competitive multi-state process, Accelr8 Technology Corporation
announced that it is moving its headquarters from Denver to Tucson.
Founded in 1982, Accelr8 develops instruments used for the detection of pathogenic microorganisms. Its BACcel rapid diagnostic system, in development, is the first technology that is able to count and identify dangerous pathogens and their drug resistance expression within the same day of obtaining a patient specimen, instead of the two to three days required for standard methods. This speed allows for a significant improvement in the treatment of the over 1.7 million people in the US who contract a hospital acquired infection each year, and access to a multi-billion dollar market.
Accelr8 has selected Tucson as best meeting its needs for future high-growth plans. Accelr8 will bring high-skilled, high-wage jobs to Southern Arizona with plans to fill 65 positions over the next three years and the potential to grow to 200-300 employees in subsequent years. Headquarter positions include engineers, scientists, sales/marketing, management, finance, quality/regulatory and manufacturing. The company will occupy approximately 15,000 square feet of space in Pima County’s Herbert K. Abrams Public Health Center at 3950 S. Country Club Road. After a build out of wet lab space, the company is expected to be operational by early 2013.
“Accelr8 is developing a revolutionary product in the diagnostics area and we were impressed with the region’s emerging bioscience strength, innovation and support that can help ensure our future success,” said Lawrence Mehren, president and CEO, Accelr8 Technology Corporation.
“Accelr8 strengthens the biotechnology excellence our state has been building, while creating high-quality jobs for Arizonans,” said Governor Jan Brewer. “I am grateful to the Arizona Commerce Authority, TREO and other regional partners whose excellence and creativity produced infrastructure solutions to secure Accelr8 for Arizona.”
“Given the Accelr8 management team’s past success driving high-growth plans for similar companies, it should prove to be a solid return on investment for many years,” said Sharon Bronson, vice chair, Pima County Board of Supervisors.
“Our region has the technical talent and workforce that Accelr8 needs,” said Jonathan Rothschild, mayor, City of Tucson. “We are quickly becoming recognized for our ‘innovation know how.’”
“This win shows that Tucson is poised to take off as a region that is attractive to bioscience companies,” said Stephen G. Eggen, TREO Chairman of the Board and CFO, Raytheon Missile Systems. “Locally, many partners worked very hard to win this deal in a unified fashion.”
“We’re thrilled to attract a publicly-traded headquarters in a key, targeted industry,” said Joe Snell, president & CEO, TREO. “Accelr8 represents another building block as we emerge as a leading biotech hub.”
