Arizona State University (ASU) is advancing health innovation through the work of researchers in its School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, part of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. Faculty members are turning research discoveries into new technologies and startup companies aimed at improving human health.
Associate Professor Jessica Weaver leads ImmunoShield Therapeutics, a company developing a hydrogel-based platform to protect transplanted therapeutic cells from immune system rejection. This technology could have an impact on regenerative medicine and diabetes treatment by reducing or eliminating the need for long-term immunosuppression. Weaver said, “The infrastructure here really empowers faculty and trainees to think like innovators while staying grounded in rigorous science.” Postdoctoral researcher Matthew Becker added, “At ASU, we have a culture that doesn’t just allow but encourages innovation. ImmunoShield is an example of what happens when engineering and translational science come together.”
Brent Vernon, associate professor with joint appointments in the John Shufeldt School of Medicine and Medical Engineering, co-founded Sonoran Biosciences with Derek Overstreet to develop extended-release drug formulations for postoperative pain management. Their hydrogels deliver local anesthetics to surgical sites, aiming to reduce opioid use after surgery. Overstreet stated, “We are excited by the potential to transform the postoperative recovery process by eliminating routine postoperative opioid prescriptions.” Vernon also co-founded Aneuvas Technologies Inc., which focuses on injectable liquid technologies for vascular treatments related to stroke.
Timothy Becker, chief technology officer at Aneuvas Technologies and an ASU alumnus, highlighted the school’s environment: “The School of Biological and Health Systems fosters a culture where innovation isn’t just encouraged — it’s expected.”
Both Sonoran Biosciences and Aneuvas Technologies have received funding from NIH Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. These programs support early-stage medical technology development and encourage collaboration between small businesses and research institutions.
Associate Professor Shaopeng Wang collaborates with Biosensing Instrument to bring biosensing and plasmonic imaging technologies developed at ASU into broader use in drug discovery and diagnostics. Wang explained, “Some technologies benefit from new company formation, while others advance more effectively through strong partnerships with established industry teams. The School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering provides the flexibility to pursue the path that best moves the science toward real impact.”
David Brafman, associate professor of biomedical engineering at ASU, emphasized student involvement: “Across our undergraduate and graduate programs, students work side by side with faculty to identify unmet needs, develop solutions and understand how those innovations move into real-world use.”
ASU’s approach aligns with its reputation for fostering innovation; it has been named number one in innovation for eight consecutive years by U.S. News & World Report according to this report: https://news.asu.edu/20220911-university-news-asu-no-1-innovation-us-news-world-report-eighth-year?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=asu&utm_campaign=ASURankings&utm_term=USNWR.
In addition to these efforts in health technology startups, ASU is involved in other innovative projects such as partnering with Argos Vision—a tech startup developing smart traffic cameras—to improve safety in Phoenix through data-driven approaches as reported here: https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/street-transportation/2420.
According to university officials quoted in this article, research at ASU is seen as a driving force behind technological progress: “Research only reaches its full impact when it improves people’s lives,” Vernon said.
