Radiopharmaceutical Startup Wins One-Year Incubation at the University of Arizona Center for Innovation Fueled by Oro Valley
PHOTO: (Left to Right) Mayor of Oro Valley Joe Winfield, Jake Fussell and Iman Daryaei with Darya Pharmaceuticals, Kristen Sharp with Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce
Tucson, Ariz. (July 30, 2025) – The University of Arizona Center for Innovation (UACI) is pleased to announce that Darya Pharmaceuticals has been selected as the winning company for the UACI-sponsored launch, fueled by the Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce and Town of Oro Valley. Darya Pharmaceuticals will receive a one-year sponsored entry into UACI at Oro Valley. This bioscience-focused incubator location provides resources, specialized facilities, services, and expert guidance to help businesses grow. The UACI Program Roadmap© will help them with everything from refining their business models to obtaining funding through a comprehensive guide and structured programming.
Darya Pharmaceuticals is a full-stack service company specializing in the radiopharmaceutical industry, offering comprehensive support for cutting-edge preclinical studies, including radiochemistry, in vitro assays, and in vivo validations, all powered by state-of-the-art technologies. The startup was selected from a competitive pool of applicants for its strong commitment to advancing the next generation of radiopharmaceuticals designed for both diagnosis and treatment, demonstrating significant potential for impact in the field.
The company sets itself apart by offering comprehensive, end-to-end preclinical research services for pharmaceutical companies, covering the full spectrum of testing required to develop radiopharmaceuticals more efficiently and effectively, ultimately accelerating the path to market. In its initial phase of development and research, the company has actively engaged with the University of Arizona, utilizing the Animal Facility and the Radiation/Bioimaging Core. As they join the UACI program, Darya Pharmaceuticals will receive targeted support in finance and human resources, along with physical lab space to support the expansion of their team and specialized pharmaceutical services.
“We’re enthusiastic about the opportunities available at the UACI at Oro Valley location, especially the increased visibility, strong infrastructure, and access to supportive resources that will help drive our growth within the Town of Oro Valley’s expanding bioscience ecosystem,” shared Iman Daryaei, COO of Darya Pharmaceuticals.
“We are thrilled to have Darya Pharmaceuticals apart of the UACI ecosystem in partnership with Oro Valley,” shared Casey Carrillo, Executive Director of UACI, “Their innovative approach to accelerating the development of radiopharmaceuticals aligns perfectly with our mission to support science-driven startups solving real-world problems.”
In alignment with its mission to grow scalable companies that fuel the Arizona economy, UACI has teamed up with Oro Valley leaders to support science and technology early-stage and emerging growth companies. Over the past five years, the collaboration between UACI, the Town of Oro Valley, and the Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce has successfully supported multiple biotech companies through previous Sponsored Launch programs.
“We’re excited to welcome Darya Pharmaceuticals to the Oro Valley community. With the support and resources of the UACI incubation program, we’re confident they’ll reach key milestones in their growth. We look forward to the innovation and impact they’ll bring—both here in Oro Valley and on a global scale,” shared Kristen Sharp, CEO and President of the Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce.
A special thanks to the selection committee, which included Kristen Sharp, Chris Markley with Raytheon, and Sean Burcham with Vega Americas.