The Arizona Center for Accelerated Biomedical Innovation (ACABI) is a new center at the University of Arizona aimed at developing novel solutions to the broad range of continuously emerging unsolved problems and unmet needs in health care, well care and overall individual well-being, in the rapidly evolving world and society in which we live.
At the heart of ACABI is a deep understanding of the methodologies of inventiveness and innovation. As such, ACABI as a center is a “creativity engine,” established to develop practical, value-added solutions.
Bridging the Gaps in Medicine & Research
ACABI is unusual among university centers, where science and engineering faculty traditionally are focused on teaching, research and service. While many are engaged in cutting-edge research, typically they have not been trained in or set on a path towards moving discoveries into practical application or commercialization.
Similarly, in the medical field, while clinicians are astute at diagnosis and therapy, tackling unmet medical needs has not been a primary element in their day-to-day care of patients.
ACABI bridges these gaps, fostering connectivity and cross-disciplinary interaction among university faculty, students and the community at large while also providing innovation education and guidance, thereby amplifying the potential of all involved.
While Tech Launch Arizona works within the UA's innovation ecosystem to commercialize emerging technologies, ACABI has a different role, sitting “upstream” of TLA as an “invention stimulator,” engaging with all elements of the University to drive creativity.
Creating Solutions for the Here & Now
ACABI works by identifying high-potential unmet needs and connecting them to novel science, technology and other discoveries to find solutions that can be realistically deployed in the here and now.
At the heart of the Center is inventiveness and the ability to creatively mix diverse elements in ways that yield a range of innovative solutions.
As such ACABI creates value, enhances connectivity, converts ideas to reality and catalyzes academic grantsmanship as well as practical commercialization of new knowledge.
Putting Knowledge to Immediate Use
Though a UA Center, ACABI’s reach extends beyond Arizona, benefiting from close relationships with a core group of leading universities and research labs across the U.S. and around the globe. Those relationships integrate a range of technology, expertise and capabilities that would be impossible to assemble under one roof.
For its network of individual and institutional participants, the Center is a way to amplify creativity, impact and value. ACABI converts the knowledge of its associates into real-world, economically sound inventions to aid target populations not in some vague way for a distant future, but with real solutions now.
I encourage all viable partners -- universities, corporations and others -- to explore our website, contact us and get engaged. ACABI was developed for you, and I look forward to working with you through this new exciting resource.
With best regards,
Marvin J. Slepian, MD Director