University of Arizona Medical Innovations Building Reaches Major Construction Milestone in Downtown Phoenix

PHOENIX, Ariz. — The University of Arizona has reached a major milestone in the construction of its new Medical Innovations Building in downtown Phoenix, as university leaders, city officials, healthcare partners and construction teams gathered Wednesday to celebrate the placement of the final structural beam.

The seven-story, 200,000-square-foot research facility is being built within the Phoenix Bioscience Core and is expected to open in October 2027. Once completed, the building will provide new space for medical research focused on cancer, immunology, infectious diseases, autoimmune conditions and other emerging areas of healthcare.

The project also represents another significant expansion of the University of Arizona’s presence in Phoenix and its growing partnership with Arizona’s healthcare and biotechnology sectors.

University of Arizona President Suresh Garimella said the Medical Innovations Building will advance the university’s research and land-grant missions by giving researchers additional space to turn scientific discoveries into treatments and other health solutions.

The facility is also expected to create new opportunities for collaboration among university researchers, healthcare organizations, private industry and community partners.

Banner Health to Occupy Top Two Floors

One of the biggest announcements from Wednesday’s event came from Garimella, who revealed that Banner Health will occupy the top two floors of the Medical Innovations Building.

Banner plans to establish a bio-incubator in the space designed to help accelerate scientific discoveries and move promising research closer to patient care.

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said the project strengthens the city’s expanding position in healthcare, biotechnology and scientific research.

“The Medical Innovations Building strengthens Phoenix’s growing reputation as a hub for healthcare, biotechnology, and research,” Gallego said. “Our partnership with the University of Arizona is creating space for discoveries that could save lives, improve treatments, and bring new cures within reach.”

Gallego said the facility is also a natural location for Banner Health to expand its healthcare innovation efforts.

The University of Arizona and Banner Health have worked together for more than a decade in academic medicine, physician training and medical research. According to a recent economic impact report cited by the university, the partnership has generated more than $59 billion in economic impact across Arizona since 2015.

Garimella said bringing university scientists and Banner clinicians together could create a powerful environment for translating research into better patient outcomes.

“The Medical Innovations Building is a home for research that shapes the future, where University of Arizona students and scientists will work side-by-side with Banner Health clinicians to improve patient outcomes and advance public health,” Garimella said.

He pointed specifically to the potential for future breakthroughs involving cancer, immunology and public health.

Banner Health President and CEO Amy Perry said expanding the health system’s presence in the building will provide another opportunity to promote Arizona as a destination for biomedical research and investment.

“Healthcare innovation is essential to advancing the mission of Banner Health to deliver world-class medicine and serve our communities,” Perry said.

Research Targeting Cancer, Diabetes and Immune Diseases

Banner Health’s bio-incubator will operate alongside the University of Arizona Center for Advanced Molecular and Immunological Therapies.

The interdisciplinary research group is working to develop new approaches for diagnosing, treating and preventing cancers, infectious diseases and autoimmune conditions.

Among the areas being investigated are regenerative medicine for Type 1 diabetes, mRNA-based cancer therapies and the biological mechanisms that allow some cancers to evade the immune system.

The University of Arizona Cancer Center and the Department of Interdisciplinary Oncology at the College of Medicine – Phoenix will also operate inside the Medical Innovations Building.

Together, those programs are expected to support nearly a dozen research laboratories.

Arizona Board of Regents Chair Doug Goodyear said the project demonstrates how the university’s land-grant mission can extend into medical education, research and healthcare throughout Arizona.

“This building will add to the university’s impact in improving medical innovations that lead to better health options for the people of our state,” Goodyear said.

Expanding the Phoenix Bioscience Core

The Medical Innovations Building is the latest major addition to the Phoenix Bioscience Core, a roughly 30-acre biomedical and research district in downtown Phoenix.

The district has become an important part of the city’s efforts to expand its bioscience, medical education and healthcare economy.

The University of Arizona already operates several programs within the district, including the College of Medicine – Phoenix, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy and Eller College of Management.

Adding the Medical Innovations Building will further concentrate university researchers, students, clinicians and healthcare organizations within the downtown district.

Construction began after the university and its partners broke ground on the facility in October 2024.

The building is being developed with McCarthy Building Companies and architecture firm SmithGroup.

Stephanie Mitrovic, science and technology studio leader for SmithGroup, said reaching the topping-out stage represents the work of researchers, university officials, designers, builders and community partners.

“Designed to strengthen community connections and respond to our desert environment, it will be a place where ideas become breakthroughs with lasting impact for generations to come,” Mitrovic said.

McCarthy Vice President of Operations Kurt Nyberg said raising the final structural beam represents an important moment for the construction team.

“This milestone reflects the craftsmanship and shared vision that define this design-build partnership,” Nyberg said. “We’re proud to help deliver a facility that will fuel groundbreaking research and drive a lasting impact across Arizona and beyond.”

Phoenix’s Growing Biomedical Footprint

The project arrives as Phoenix continues working to establish downtown as a center for healthcare, medical education, biotechnology and life-sciences research.

The combination of University of Arizona researchers, Banner Health clinicians and other public and private partners inside the Medical Innovations Building could make the facility an important piece of that strategy.

With structural construction reaching a major milestone, attention will now turn toward completing the facility and preparing its laboratories, research spaces and bio-incubator for scientists and clinicians.

The Medical Innovations Building is currently scheduled to open in October 2027.