A visionary leader, Steve VanNurden’s commitment and impact have reshaped Colorado’s life sciences landscape
AURORA, Colo. (December 3, 2024) – Fitzsimons Innovation Community, an integrated campus of leading-edge facilities for innovative health and life sciences companies, announces Fitzsimons President and CEO Steve VanNurden will retire at the end of 2024. After nearly 35 years as a life sciences industry leader, VanNurden leaves a lasting impact on the Community, on the adjacent University of Colorado (CU) Anschutz Medical Campus where he also serves as Associate Vice Chancellor of Biotechnology, and on Colorado’s life sciences ecosystem.
Since 2012, VanNurden has driven the accelerated growth of Fitzsimons Innovation Community from 24 life sciences companies to more than 80—providing the resources, connections, and environment that help them thrive—right across the street from the CU Anschutz world-class academic medical research campus. His legacy includes establishing CU Innovations, which has redefined technology transfer at CU and strengthened the link between groundbreaking research and commercialization.
Prior to coming to Colorado, VanNurden spent 22 years with Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, where he ultimately served as chair of Mayo Clinic Ventures. During his tenure there, his team brought more than 2,000 discoveries, ideas, and developments into commercialization.
VanNurden’s passion for shaping the future of life sciences in Colorado has included serving as a founding member and General Partner of CU Healthcare Innovation Fund, with $100 million in assets under management, to invest in promising early-stage companies in our state. He was a driving force behind Colorado BioScience Association’s (CBSA) Rocky Mountain Life Sciences Investor and Partnering Conference, improving access to capital for emerging life sciences companies and the health innovators of tomorrow.
Under his leadership, Fitzsimons Innovation Community established strategic partnerships with groups like Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation to expand the state’s life sciences ecosystem and attract more organizations to become a part of it and Hub for Health Impact, an ambitious, first-of-its-kind national economic development initiative to attract companies, draw top talent, and secure new investments for our state.
As he looks to the future, VanNurden intends to evolve from a leadership role to one as an advisor, where he can lend his experience and expertise to help other organizations in the life sciences and healthcare spaces make patient impact.
A national search is underway for a new President and CEO to continue to grow Fitzsimons Innovation Community and build on its reputation as a premier life sciences hub.
Executive Quotes
Steve VanNurden, President and CEO of Fitzsimons Innovation Community, said, “When I first came to the University of Colorado, all of the entities on campus were working separately—the medical school, the hospitals, and the companies on the Fitzsimons campus all operated in their own siloes. But now all of them collaborate constantly, and that’s what turns us from an incubator into an ecosystem. It’s proven that companies have a higher chance of being successful here, and that’s because of the collaborative resources and the room to grow.”
David Perez, Fitzsimons Innovation Community Board Member, said, “Steve VanNurden’s visionary leadership has been instrumental in transforming Fitzsimons Innovation Community into a thriving world-class hub for life sciences innovation. He has generously and tirelessly shared his many experiences, expertise, insights, and perspectives with so many people fortunate enough to know and work with him. It has been a privilege to serve alongside him and to learn from him. The breadth and depth of his impact on our community and the entire life sciences industry will be felt for decades to come. He has set an example for us all to strive to emulate.”
ABOUT FITZSIMONS INNOVATION COMMUNITY
At Fitzsimons Innovation Community, visionaries boldly transform science into the future of health and care. Fitzsimons Innovation Community pushes boundaries in a unified pursuit of health breakthroughs. From concept through commercialization, organizations choose Fitzsimons Innovation Community for its entrepreneurial environment, leading-edge facilities, and campus-wide support. Visionaries discover, develop, and collaborate with direct access to the renowned clinicians and researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. We are united to advance health. To learn more, please visit our website: www.fitzsimonsinnovation.com.
Media Resources
Interviews and headshots available upon request.
Media Contacts
Fitzsimons Innovation Community
Annie Coghill, 303-547-6692
annie@theprimaveragroup.com