Life sciences boost cited

Michigan's 3 largest universities spend $800M as research group opens office in Lansing

Kim Kozlowski / The Detroit News

Lansing -- The state's three largest universities are spending more than $800 million dollars on life sciences research that is creating jobs in Michigan, the director of the University Research Corridor said Friday.

More of that collaboration and economic revitalization is on the horizon, the presidents of University of Michigan, Michigan State University and Wayne State University pledged as the alliance opened a Lansing headquarters and outlined goals on Friday.

"Our vision is to help create a 21st century Michigan," said Jeff Mason, executive director of the University Research Corridor. "Collectively, we can be stronger as we work together."

The alliance was formed three years ago to band its research prowess together and translate it into jobs to revitalize Michigan's economy.

The group has recently taken important steps to accomplish its mission, by hiring Mason last July, and opening an office at 500 E. Michigan Ave.

But even more important is the investment in the community, leaders say.

One example is the $887 million invested by the URC in life science research; the investment represents a 69 percent increase since 1999, a recent study showed. Of the 33 venture capital-backed companies in Michigan, 22 were in the life sciences industry, according to another report, from the Michigan Venture Capital Association. Many of those companies were started by researchers or created from the intellectual property from the three universities, Mason said.

Other areas for URC to collaborate on include health, information technology, alternative energy, sustainability and urban revitalization.

"We clearly understand our future is connected to the state's future," said U-M president Mary Sue Coleman.

Besides collaboration, other goals of the URC include:

• Providing support to the state in new business recruitment and development

• Building new models of collaboration to accelerate state economic development

• Assist local community in revitalization

• Increase awareness of the URC