Southwest Michigan's history of "robust science, medical and food-related manufacturing, quality academics, generous investment and top-notch talent" must be nurtured, says the president and CEO of the Southwest Michigan Innovation Center.
Representatives of about 50 businesses as well as academic, scientific and community leaders turned out to the Keystone Community Bank Breakfast at WMU recently to hear Rob DeWit's update on work being done at the Innovation Center.
It contributes $18.6 million in total workplace earnings to the local economy and created 346 jobs from 2003 to 2010. More than 79 companies, entrepreneurs and academic researchers have been served by the center, DeWit reports.
The result is six new drugs being investigated and 26 patents being taken out. Five drugs or therapies are being tested to see if they are safe. Of 24 companies incubated at SMIC since its inception in 2003, 23 remain in business.
The private, nonprofit Southwest Michigan Innovation Center located in the Western Michigan University Business Technology Research Park is a 69,000 square-foot business incubator/accelerator that provides a comprehensive range of support and assistance to life science businesses as to help them get started, survive and grow.
The Center's new Michigan Core Life Sciences Laboratory, made possible through a $100,000 grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corp. and financial support from the community, provides lab bench space and access to sophisticated equipment and services, including mass spectroscopy and flow cytometry, and is bringing in entrepreneurs and allowing new services for existing clients.
"Life-science research today and tomorrow is following the original biotech script -- narrow focus of expertise, willingness to collaborate and learn from each other, looking at everything from blockbusters to personalized medicine, and tapping the unique expertise of the region, the state and beyond," DeWit says. "The life-science community is global, and we are reaching out to that community -- notably, recent discussions with Stanford University -- to where new opportunities await."
Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave Media
Source: Rob DeWit, Southwest Michigan Innovation Center
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