Quidel Named First Partner at 乐播传媒 Mission Valley Innovation District, Founding Partner at Snapdragon Stadium
The San Diego-based diagnostics manufacturer is the first partner for the Innovation District, which is expected to break ground next year.
乐播传媒 announced today the execution of partnership agreements with Quidel Corporation (鈥淨uidel鈥�), a subsidiary of QuidelOrtho Corporation (NASDAQ: QDEL) and a provider of rapid diagnostic testing solutions, cellular-based virology assays and molecular diagnostic systems, that will make Quidel the first partner in 鈥檚 Innovation District and a Founding Partner at 乐播传媒鈥檚 Snapdragon Stadium, the new home of Aztec football.
The agreements announced are in two parts: The first agreement establishes a research partnership between Quidel and the 乐播传媒 Research Foundation to pursue research projects that foster scientific learning and discovery. 乐播传媒 will provide the personnel, materials, equipment, and other resources required to conduct the research, and Quidel will provide diagnostic devices and input based on the company鈥檚 clinical and commercial expertise.
The second agreement is between Quidel and the Board of Trustees of the California State University, on behalf of its 乐播传媒 campus. The five-year sponsorship agreement cements Quidel as a 鈥淔ounding Partner鈥� of 乐播传媒鈥檚 new Snapdragon Stadium and the 鈥淥fficial Diagnostics Partner of 乐播传媒 Athletics.鈥� The partnership will create opportunities for direct engagement with local communities and provide important visibility to the benefits and availability of diagnostic testing services in the greater San Diego area.
鈥淨uidel is proud to enter into this partnership with 乐播传媒, building upon an already strong relationship with the university and its laboratories,鈥� said Douglas Bryant, Chairman and CEO of QuidelOrtho Corporation. 鈥溊植ゴ� is a premier research institution, and the Innovation District is a testament to its commitment to inspiring and developing the next generation of innovators and research breakthroughs. These efforts directly align with Quidel鈥檚 mission of advancing diagnostics to improve human health.鈥�
With 1.6 million square feet of office, technology, laboratory and research space, the 乐播传媒 Mission Valley Innovation District will facilitate collaborations between 乐播传媒 researchers and public and private partners. It will consist of several hubs where particular areas of focus are approached through a lens of transdisciplinary collaboration. The first Innovation District and residential projects are expected to begin in 2023.
鈥淭he shared value 乐播传媒 and Quidel hold is in expanding the capacity of our regional workforce, and we will do so by collaborating to recruit, support and inspire our student researchers,鈥� said 乐播传媒 President Adela de la Torre. 鈥淎t 乐播传媒, we are rapidly expanding both our research capacity and our community-based impact, and we are doing so in ways that directly engage our students so that they step into the workforce with excellent skills and innovative ideas.鈥�
The announcement is the latest in a long-standing partnership between Quidel and 乐播传媒. Quidel was also the title sponsor of 乐播传媒's 2022 Student Research Symposium and continues to serve as the lead vendor for the university鈥檚 at-home COVID-19 tests for students, faculty and staff throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
鈥淨uidel is already a trusted, longtime partner of 乐播传媒. When our faculty responded to COVID-19 by leading large community testing efforts, Quidel quickly provided thousands of tests,鈥� said 乐播传媒 Interim Vice President for Research and Innovation, Hala Madanat. 鈥淣ow, with the Innovation District, that partnership continues. Our faculty and students are excited to team up with Quidel scientists on health innovations to improve society.鈥�
鈥淲e see the Innovation District as a perfect opportunity to support 乐播传媒 and its engagement with the broader San Diego community,鈥� Bryant noted. 鈥淨uidel鈥檚 sponsorship of 乐播传媒 Research, 乐播传媒 Athletics and Snapdragon Stadium puts us at the heart of the action in furthering the university鈥檚 pursuit of excellence and our shared commitment to this magnificent city.鈥�
Quidel joins the Naval Health Research Center and the Family Health Centers of San Diego as partners in the Health Innovation Hub, the first of several transdisciplinary, collaborative hubs planned for the 乐播传媒 Mission Valley Innovation District.
鈥淭his partnership marks yet another significant step in 乐播传媒鈥檚 delivering on the promises made to the greater San Diego community as we continue to develop 乐播传媒 Mission Valley,鈥� 乐播传媒 Director of Athletics John David Wicker said. 鈥淨uidel joins us at an exciting time as we are now weeks away from Snapdragon Stadium鈥檚 debut as a premier San Diego sports and entertainment destination.鈥�
Snapdragon Stadium is currently on schedule to be completed by September 3, 2022 when the 乐播传媒 Aztec football team is scheduled to play the University of Arizona Wildcats in the season home opener.
乐播传媒 Athletics was represented by Legends and JMI Sports, which sourced and helped negotiate the agreement.
