Marvin J. Slepian, M.D. Co-Founder, Chief Scientific and Medical Officer, Science Advisory Board Chairman

The 2011 AZBio Expo brought together innovative and life saving companies from across the state along with leaders from across the industry.   Be sure to check out the highlights and a special spotlight interview where Don Isaacs, VP of Communications at SynCardia Systems, Inc. brings EmpowHER's Shana O'Conner up close and personal with the world's only Total Artificial Heart.  It's why SynCardia was named the 2011 Bioscience Company of the Year.

By: Christina Estes ABC15 Tucson-based SynCardia Systems was among the companies showcased at the annual AZ Bio Expo.It’s a chance for bioscience and technology companies to learn more about funding opportunities and hear success stories.According to the Arizona BioIndustry Association, our state is getting more federal funding for research and seeing higher job growth in the bioscience industry compared to the national average.“Tucson and Arizona are the international headquarters for the world’s only total artificial heart,” said Don Isaacs, SynCardia vice president of communications. “They replace the exact same parts of the heart as if you had a heart transplant.”The SynCardia heart is made in Arizona using bio-compatible material also made here. Isaacs says they have 82 employees in Arizona and about 80 people currently using the heart. The device is considered a bridge for people awaiting a transplant or a life saver for those who will not get transplants due to age or medical conditions.“There’s only 2,200 hearts available per year in the United States and the level of donors has been the same for the last twenty years,” Isaacs said.SynCardia is also undergoing FDA clinical trials for the world’s first wearable power supply for their temporary artificial heart. ©2007 The E.W. Scripps Co. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. (Republished with permission from ABC15) Read more:  http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/region_southeast_valley/tempe/Arizona-company-SynCardia-Systems-makes-worlds-first-total-temporary-artificial-heart#ixzz2X99ewU3x

Funding Innovation in a Changing World: Moderator:  Kimberly Ha (BioPharm Insight/Infinata) Panelists:  Les Funtleyder (Poliwogg) and Cynthia Ekberg Tsai (Viropro)

SynCardia Systems, Inc. (Tucson, AZ) is the privately-held manufacturer of the world's first and only FDA, Health Canada and CE (Europe) approved Total Artificial Heart. The company was formed in 2001 by world-renowned heart surgeon Jack G. Copeland, MD, interventional cardiologist Marvin J. Slepian, MD, and biomedical engineer Richard G. Smith, MSEE, CCE, to commercialize the SynCardia temporary Total Artificial Heart .

Frank Pipitone of Solvonics Medical demonstrates the value of the BloodHound(TM) at AZBio Expo 2013

Each year AZBio celebrates the milestone 

AZBio CEO, Joan Koerber-Walker shares highlights from  the 2011 AZBio Awards.  Meet some of this year's award winners.