On Jun. 8, 2002, the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community pledged $5 million to the Translational Genomics Research Institute.

The Indian community initially planned to use money from its General Fund. However, state voters passed a new gaming law in November that required a portion of casino revenue to be set aside for use in surrounding communities. Salt River leaders negotiated with Phoenix to designate $1 million a year for five years from its revenue sharing for the genomics institute. Their participation in the effort drew appreciation and praise from across the state and the nation.

Nearly 18 months after breaking ground, TGen moved into its state-of-the-art headquarters. Officials from TGen and the City of Phoenix joined with Senator Jon Kyl, Governor Janet Napolitano, Mayor Phil Gordon, and more than 500 guests to celebrate the building dedication and ribbon cutting in March 2005. Dr. Francis S. Collins, director of the National Human Genome Research Institute, delivered the keynote address.

Today, the biomedical campus is an integral piece of the statewide bioscience initiative as the faculty contribute significantly to biomedical discoveries, the quality of health care for Arizona’s residents and the expansion and diversification of the state’s economy.

The campus provides a unique, energetic environment that attracts biotech and related companies to Phoenix and Arizona through business opportunities in R&D, collaboration, partnering, and office expansion.