Michigan Life Science and Innovation Center Opens in Former Pfize...( PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP Mich. S...),Health

PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP, Mich., Sept. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- The Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC), Ann Arbor SPARK, Greater Wayne Economic Development Corporation and a private foundation have collaborated to create the Michigan Life Science and Innovation Center (MLSIC). MLSIC will connect well-funded, experienced entrepreneurs with business accelerator organizations and start-up life science companies.

"By offering state-of-the-art labs and start-up support in one location, MLSIC will be a catalyst for the growth of biotech and life sciences companies in southeast Michigan," said Michael A. Finney, president of Ann Arbor SPARK. "Access to wet lab space will help emerging life sciences companies conduct critical research, and access established biotech entrepreneurs - MLSIC's anchor tenants - is a resource that can help growing companies overcome obstacles, get good business advice and further propel their growth."

MLSIC is a 57,518 sq. ft. facility that offers office space, in addition to the state-of-the-art laboratory facilities. MEDC, Ann Arbor SPARK, Greater Wayne Economic Development Corporation and a private foundation contributed a combined $4.5 million to purchase the facility from Pfizer.

Current research and innovation taking place at MLSIC includes focused drug development, clinical research organization (CRO), biological processes, and life science services. At its grand opening, MLSIC is home to several companies:

• Algal Scientific Corporation, a biotech company working to develop a system to convert proprietary algal strain into fuel.
• Chef House Catering, a catering and events planning company and the MLSIC cafe operator.
• Distributed Compliance Solutions, LLC, a compliance solutions hosting firm for the small to medium size biotechnology, life science companies and government agencies delivering scalable,
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