West Michigan Life Science Research and Development
With over $2 billion invested in R&D each year and nearly 120 new companies, Michigan leads the nation as one of the fastest growing life sciences states. West Michigan is a large part of that growth with over $1 billion in new life science investment. Here you will find a wealth of research partners, potential clients, and support from state and local resources. We have:
- The third-fastest R&D growth rate among U.S. innovation clusters,
- More than 550,000 recent graduates in research-related fields - comprising 7.9% of Michigan’s population
- Home to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s first satellite location due to the volume of patents generated here.
- More than 525 life science companies statewide
Research and Development Resources
Michigan Accelerator Fund 1 (MAF1) – The region’s first venture capital fund created specifically to support early stage life science and technology companies. Launched with a $6 million award from Michigan’s 21st Century Jobs Fund, additional investments by local partners have increased the Fund’s total to $10 million. Investment activity is expected to begin in early 2011. The MAF1 is just the latest addition to
Michigan’s venture capital industry.
Michigan State University College of Human Medicine – In addition to serving as a teaching center, the college has established formal research partnerships with the
Van Andel Institute,
Spectrum Health and
St. Mary’s Health Care to conduct research on human health issues.
The Center for Molecular Medicine – an advanced molecular pathology laboratory created specifically to support and advance 21st Century diagnostics, translational research and clinical trials.
The West Michigan Science & Technology Initiative (WMSTI) – supports the commercialization of life science products and technologies. The initiative brings together the product development tools, resources and community assets inventors and entrepreneurs need to turn their ideas into a commercial reality.
Innovation West Michigan (IWM) – An initiative of The Right Place, IWM is West Michigan’s recognized expert in connecting companies to ideas, methods and resources to promote regional innovation and job growth.
BioCampus Cologne - A partner of The Right Place, BioCampus Cologne is one of the largest biotechnology parks in Germany. University, research, and corporate partners provide a rich environment that is powering innovation and new-industry development in the heart of Europe. Within the integrated campus, start-ups, innovators and researchers collaborate with professionals from Germany’s largest university and numerous research institutions like the Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, the Max-Planck Institutes for Neurological Research and Plant Breeding Research or the Jülich Research Center. Commercial partners include amaxa AG / Lonza Cologne AG, DIREVO Industrial Biotechnology GmbH, Solvent Innovation GmbH / Merck KGaA, Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Products GmbH or A. Nattermann & Cie. GmbH / sanofi Aventis.
Learn more. Southwest Michigan Innovation Center - This 69,000-square-foot business incubator/accelerator provides a comprehensive range of support and assistance to nurture the formation, survival, and growth of innovative, entrepreneurial, life science businesses. Launched in 2003, the Innovation Center's amenities include state of the art wet lab space, newly constructed executive office space, a subsidized, progressive rental structure, business services
The Biosciences Research and Commercialization Center at Western Michigan University is a commercially focused and science-driven translational research center dedicated to the commercialization of Michigan’s life sciences discoveries.
Michbio, the Michigan Biosciences Industry Association - Michbio was created to support the development of Michigan’s life science industry by hosting industry events, networking, and education.
To learn more about these and other life science research and development in West Michigan,
contact us, or speak with our
Business Development team.