Targeted Initiatives

Life Sciences

Peer through the microscope at a larger future for your life sciences company in Michigan. Michigan is home to a life sciences market space geared at emerging companies looking to commercialize anything from the latest diagnostic tool to creative advancements in the world of pharmaceuticals. With a strong history and an eye towards the future, young life science companies can get the edge and the Upper Hand in Michigan.

As a part of the Michigan economy since before the automobile, the state's life sciences companies have been profitably growing and making discoveries that benefit the state and the world. Michigan's life sciences industry focuses on the following areas:

• Pharmaceuticals
• Medical devices
• Instrumentation
• Diagnostics
• Biotechnology research and ancillary services

Life Sciences Strengths

With over $2 billion invested in R&D each year and nearly 120 new companies since 2000, Michigan leads the nation as one of the fastest growing life sciences states. Michigan's life sciences strengths also include:

• 542 companies
• 31,777 employees
• $4.8 billion in sales
• Growth of Michigan's life sciences industry has exceeded growth of the U.S average, growing 27% in employment, 32% in number of companies and 165% in sales
• Michigan has led the nation in percentage growth of new companies from 1999-2002
• #2 state for overall R&D expenditures
• #3 university in the nation for R&D
• 2^nd most business friendly state in the nation, according to Site Selection magazine
• Michigan has invested $178 million over the past four years to foster growth in the state's life sciences sector
• 4^th largest high tech workforce in the nation

Industry Resources

• 12 SmartZones and 7 Business Accelerators help life sciences companies incubate and commercialize products by using resources in these technology clusters.
• Michigan institutions share resources and expertise to enhance life sciences research and product development through the Core Technology Alliance.
• Michbio, the Michigan Biosciences Industry Association, was formed to support the growth of the biosciences industry and its constituent companies in Michigan through meetings, events, networking, careers and education.
• The Biosciences Research and Commercialization Center at Western Michigan University commercializes promising life science discoveries, recently providing $1.9 million to nine biotech startup companies. Southwest Michigan First with their Innovation Center is also a great resource for life sciences companies.
• The University Research Corridor is an alliance of Michigan’s three leading research institutions: Michigan State University, the University of Michigan and Wayne State University.
• The Center for Applied Research and Technology at Central Michigan University uses nanotechnology for better drug delivery and gene therapy to reach targeted parts of the body.
• Michigan Universities Commercialization Initiative (MUCI) complements and enhances technology transfer functions available at Michigan academic and research institutions to promote their life science inventions.
• The Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center^SM network provides a full range of services to assist emerging and growing technology companies, including assistance in the areas of IP protection, alternative financing, management team planning and commercialization strategies.

Next Steps

If you are ready to deliver a life sciences advancement to market, contact our Customer Assistance Center.

To get the latest Michigan Life Science Directory and learn who is growing in Michigan, go to www.michbio.org/Directory.

Also, take a look at how the 21st Century Jobs Fund program is building capacity in Michigan's Life Science market space.