University of Utah Health dedicated the James LeVoy Sorenson Center for Medical Innovation, a $50-million world-class hub designed to accelerate transformative research, medical device development, and life science training. Made possible by a generous $22 million lead gift from the Sorenson Legacy Foundation, the state-of-the-art facility serves as the new heart of Utah’s medtech ecosystem, reinforcing U of U Health’s commitment to advancing medical science and rapidly moving life-saving innovations from the lab to the patient’s bedside.

“The opening of the James LeVoy Sorenson Center for Medical Innovation marks a transformative milestone for Utah’s life sciences ecosystem,” said Kelvyn Cullimore, CEO of BioUtah. “By fostering hands-on discovery, nurturing new ventures, and bridging academia with industry, the SCMI building strengthens Utah’s position as a national leader in medtech and life sciences, driving economic growth, job creation, and improved patient outcomes across the state.”

Jacobsen Construction led 60 subcontractors on this project, which required 347 tons of steel and 2,258 cubic yards of concrete. Crews worked to ensure a delivery route for University of Utah Hospital, directly north of the jobsite, remained open continuously.

The nearly 60,000-square-foot facility offers four levels of specialized space, including:

• Advanced Prototyping & ISO 8-Compliant Clean Room: Assembly labs dedicated to creating and refining groundbreaking medical innovations.
• The Dr. Julie A. Hansen Conference Center: A vibrant collaboration hub fostering interdisciplinary cooperation and fueling transformative discovery and training.
• The ASCENT Surgical Lab: A state-of-the-art clinical bio-tissue surgery discovery suite that enables physicians, faculty, and staff to evaluate and refine new medical technologies in a hands-on, real-world training environment.
• Start-up Incubator Spaces: Purpose-built to nurture university spinouts and community student MedTech start-ups. Inaugural tenants include Australis Scientific, Fusetec Advanced Surgical Training, Purgo Scientific, Bloom Surgical, Microvascular Therapeutics, and Medicell Healthcare.

“The Sorenson Center for Medical Innovation is more than just a building; it is a catalyst for the future of patient care,” said Bob Carter, MD, PhD, CEO of University of Utah Health. “By bringing our brightest clinical minds together with engineers and entrepreneurs, we are ensuring that the next generation of medical breakthroughs happens right here in Utah, directly benefiting the patients we serve.”

Named in honor of James LeVoy Sorenson, a prolific inventor and philanthropist, the center pays tribute to a legacy of over 50 patents that revolutionized modern medicine—including the disposable surgical face cover and the single-use intravenous catheter.

“The James LeVoy Sorenson Center for Medical Innovation demonstrates what is possible when vision meets philanthropy,” said University of Utah President Taylor Randall. “This center will accelerate collaboration between clinicians, engineers and entrepreneurs and translate ideas more quickly from discovery to patient care, strengthening Utah’s position as a national leader in life sciences. We are deeply grateful to the Sorenson Legacy Foundation for their partnership and generosity, which make this work and its impact on patients possible.”