A soft-landing program that helps international medtech and bioscience companies break into the U.S. market is setting up a second outpost in downtown Phoenix, bringing lab benches and local connections into the Phoenix Bioscience Core. The Arizona International Soft Landing Experience, known as AISLE, is expanding from its SkySong base in Scottsdale to a Connect Labs location in the 850 PBC building. Organizers say the move is designed to cut the upfront cost and friction of U.S. expansion for overseas firms while plugging them into ASU research and regional networks.
Program expansion announced
According to the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, AISLE formally announced the expansion on June 17 and will operate in partnership with Wexford Science & Technology at the Phoenix Bioscience Core. The City of Phoenix also highlighted the move in a City of Phoenix post on X on July 20. GPEC President & CEO Christine Mackay said the new site will give international healthcare and bioscience companies easier access to local support and discounted offerings.
A lab-ready home in the PBC
The downtown location will sit inside Connect Labs by Wexford in the 850 PBC building, with turn-key lab suites, shared equipment and BSL-2 enabled bench space. The Phoenix Bioscience Core is a concentrated life-science district that clusters university research centers and clinical partners, a setup organizers say makes the PBC particularly appealing to inbound firms.
How the soft-landing works
AISLE blends ASU and Greater Phoenix Economic Council support with temporary, discounted space and a hands-on introduction to local permitting, hiring and market research. ASU Economic Development materials note that SkySong participants receive three months of complimentary office access and that the program does not take equity from participating companies. Firms accepted into AISLE are also paired with dedicated ASU and GPEC liaisons and receive marketing support to help launch U.S. operations.
Why now for downtown Phoenix
The expansion comes just weeks after the Office of the Phoenix Bioscience Core was closed amid budget cuts, a move first reported in early June by the Phoenix Business Journal. Local economic leaders say AISLE's arrival helps keep momentum going for the PBC even as some public offices shift or consolidate.
Officials call it a launchpad
City and university leaders are framing the program as a tool to attract jobs and investment to the downtown corridor. "The expansion of the AISLE program to Phoenix marks a major milestone for our City’s thriving innovation ecosystem," Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said in a statement, and GPEC notes that companies can enter three-, six- or 12-month agreements at either AISLE location.
What founders should know
International firms with proven revenue or venture backing may qualify for AISLE, and ASU's materials outline the program checklist and eligibility criteria. For details on lab sizes, services and membership, see Connect Labs by Wexford, and refer to ASU Economic Development for application steps and program contacts.
