Coverage of innovative research, development and deployment of technology and technological advance, including hardware, software and software as service.
Portage-based Phadia, which specializes in developing tests for allergies, has received FDA permission to market four new autoimmune antibody assays, procedures used to diagnose antiphospholipid syndrome. Antiphospholipid syndrome causes blood […]
Stryker Corps.' patient handling and emergency medical equipment building in Portage -- home of manufacturing and divisional headquarters office space -- has been recognized for the way it has reduced its impact on the environment. Since the building's construction in 2005, Stryker has reduced the facility's energy usage by 27 percent through implementing a building operations plan, an energy audit and a retro-commissioning plan. Improvements have included the re-use of pallets, diverting plastic from landfills and overall trash cost reduction.The company's efforts have resulted in LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) certifications from the U.S. Green Building Council. Stryker has earned a silver designation in the LEED rating system for existing building operations and maintenance, the first manufacturer in Michigan to do so.The rating system under which Stryker's efforts were evaluated assesses whole-building cleaning and maintenance issues, water efficiency, energy efficiency, sustainable purchasing, recycling programs, exterior maintenance programs and ongoing indoor air quality. LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, which provides a framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions.The LEED rating system for New Construction has similar goals that apply to newly built facilities. Stryker's manufacturing facility in Suzhou, China, has achieved a gold designation in the LEED rating system for new construction, one of only five facilities in China to achieve this rating. These certifications recognize Stryker's ongoing, company-wide efforts, many of which began in its European plants, to design and operate its facilities in a more sustainable and responsible manner.Stryker, one of the world's leading medical technology companies, provides innovative orthopedic implants as well as state-of-the-art medical and surgical equipment to help people lead more active and more satisfying lives. Writer: Kathy Jennings Source: Stryker Corp.
Kalexsyn Inc.'s leadership has been recognized for promoting excellence in technology. David Zimmermann, CEO, and Robert Gadwood, Ph.D., president and chief scientific officer, of the company have been named Ernst & Young Entrepreneurs Of The Year. The Kalamazoo-based company that focuses on providing medicinal chemistry services to the pharmaceutical industry and has averaged 30 percent growth each year since its founding. The award, in its 24th year, is given to entrepreneurs who demonstrate success in innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. Kalexsyn competed for the award with companies in Michigan and Northwest Ohio. "These entrepreneur of the year award winners are best in class, and we are proud to honor their outstanding success," says Frank Maselli, Ernst & Young L.L.P. Zimmermann and Gadwood founded Kalexsyn, a contract research organization, in 2003 with assistance from Southwest Michigan First, Western Michigan University and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. "This award recognizes the quality and value Kalexsyn brings to each of our clients," Zimmermann says. "Contract research organizations like ours thrive on the skills and qualities found in our exceptional staff and scientific team." Kalexsyn is a world-class medicinal chemistry contract research organization (CRO). Our scientists average 15 years of experience in hit validation, lead optimization and solving tough synthetic problems. We offer clients an outstanding CRO experience, including tailored short- and long-term FTE arrangements. Kalexsyn is privately owned and located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Writer: Kathy Jennings Source: David Zimmermann, Kalexsyn Inc.
WMU's solar race car team is in Texas readying the Sunseeker for a round of qualifying events.The new Sunseeker has been in development for 18 months. It is lighter and more aerodynamic than previous WMU racers, weighing in at about 650 pounds with the driver on board.This year's race marks the 10th time WMU students have participated in the biennial American Solar Challenge race that draws the best engineering schools from the United States and Canada. WMU solar powered vehicles have placed as high as sixth and captured best design awards in post-race ceremonies. WMU is one of only four teams in North America to have participated in all nine previous races.A team of 10 engineering students and two advisors from WMU are now in Cresson Texas for the American Solar Challenge qualifying events -- four days set aside for the evaluation of all the vehicle systems and the Formula Sun Grand Prix track race, June 16-18, to ensure the vehicles are up to the demands of the road trip.This year, competitors will race for 1,100 miles through four states on a course chosen to include pieces of routes used in previous events in a historical tribute to the 20 years of organized solar racing events in North America. The cross-country road race will start June 20 in Tulsa, Okla., and conclude June 26 in Chicago.Race updates are available online. The team also has its own Facebook page.The event offers students a chance to apply classroom knowledge to a hands-on project that culminates in a test of the efficiency, safety and durability of the solar vehicles. The teams also promote the use of renewable alternative energy and the advancement of related technologies by educating the public through the presentation and demonstration of a solar powered vehicle.Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Cheryl Roland, WMU
From 2006 to 2008 Michigan's bioscience industry added 3,300 jobs, faster than the national average, reports Business Review West Michigan.National trade group BIO in its biannual report said the industry directly employed 37,180 people as of two years ago, growing nearly 10 percent from 2006 in jobs.The industry pays an average annual wage of $76,394.The BIO report ranked Michigan 10th nationally in bioscience research and development in 2008, 13th in clinical trials initiated in 2009, and 18th in venture capital investments and 17th in related patents from 2004 to 2009. Excerpt: Across Michigan, research, testing and medical labs remained the largest and fastest-growing industry subsector from 2006 to 2008, growing by 18.5 percent, or nearly 2,500 jobs, and adding 85 new companies. MichBio, the industry's trade association in Michigan, attributed the growth in research, testing and medical labs to start-up companies formed out of corporate downsizings at pharmaceutical and device companies, coupled with a growing need for diagnostic and medical testing for health care providers. The medical device and equipment subsector added more than 1,300 jobs from 2006 to 2008, an 11.9 percent increase. For more study results, see the entire story. Source: Business Review West Michigan
Stryker's Communications business unit and Acuitec have signed an agreement that will integrate both companies' technologies within the operating room.The move will provide customers with a comprehensive offering that combines in-room integration with desirable workflow solutions.Stryker's Infinity Control System allows staff within the operating room to route video, control multiple devices and PCs, and teleconference. The Acuitec software platform can be integrated with the SwitchPoint Infinity System to work seamlessly with hospitals' postacute care and electronic medical record systems to provide a comprehensive before-, during-, and post-surgery solution featuring patient tracking, electronic charting, remote presence monitoring, video boards, case status, and dashboards.The intuitive Acuitec software can also be accessed, managed, and routed to any display within the operating room through the Stryker SwitchPoint Infinity touch panel interface."The agreement with Acuitec will allow us to offer our customers the most innovative information systems available for hospitals today, creating greater efficiencies and enhanced care within the operating room," says Spencer Stiles, Stryker Communications General Manager. Stryker, with corporate headquarters in Portage, Mich., is one of the world's leading medical technology companies and is dedicated to helping healthcare professionals perform their jobs more efficiently while enhancing patient care. The company provides innovative orthopedic implants as well as state-of-the-art medical and surgical equipment to help people lead more active and more satisfying lives.Acuitec offers the only fully integrated, comprehensive workflow solution designed by critical care clinicians that features remote presence monitoring and situational awareness. The Acuitec product line is designed to enhance clinical outcomes, patient care, and safety while improving caregiver efficiency, regulatory compliance adherence, reimbursement, and overall business value.Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Spencer Stiles, Stryker Communications
Albemarle Corporation, a global leader in delivering innovative specialty chemicals and clean energy solutions, recently was recognized for acting with care when it comes to environmental stewardship -- and its facility in South Haven helped it earn the accolades. Albemarle received four awards from the American Chemistry Council for the company's contributions to the improved performance of the chemical sector.The company received the Responsible Care Performance Award, given to those that excel at helping the American Chemistry Council meet industry-wide safety and product stewardship targets. Since 1988, members of the American Chemistry Council (ACC) have significantly improved their environmental, health, safety and security performance through the Responsible Care initiative. Participation in Responsible Care is mandatory for ACC member companies.Albemarle is one of only 10 companies to receive the award, and also received a Responsible Care Facility Safety Certificate, presented to companies with particularly high-standard achievements in employee health and safety performance.Two Responsible Care Significant Improvement in Manufacturing awards also went to Albemarle for two plant projects. The Bayport Facility in Pasadena, Texas, and the South Haven facility were recognized for their continual efforts in energy conservation."For more than twenty years, Responsible Care has represented a common commitment of companies working together to continuously improve our industry's performance. The companies and individuals recognized today have distinguished themselves as leaders in our commitment to sustainability," ACC President and CEO Cal Dooley says.Niomi L. Krzystowczyk, Albemarle's Division Vice President of Health, Safety & Environment said the awards "formally acknowledge our commitment to promoting sound sustainability practices throughout our organization and the communities in which we work and live."Albemarle Corporation, headquartered in Baton Rouge, La., employs approximately 4,000 people and serves customers in approximately 100 countries. Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Stephanie Dixon, Albemarle
Work is under way on an 83,000-square-foot warehouse for medical supplier Seneca Medical Inc.'s distribution operation across Southwest Michigan and beyond.By the time the project is done, Seneca Medical expects to have invested $3.5 million in land and building costs, including the purchase of 10.6 acres of land in Midlink Business Park.There may be as many 25 employees working at the site by the end of the warehouse's first year of business. There already are 10 employees working at the site. The warehouse and related operations in the Kalamazoo area expands the medical supplier's reach into Southwest Michigan and northern Indiana, says Todd R. Howell, Chief Financial Officer."It represents our long-term commitment to the State of Michigan that Seneca will be providing medical supplies for the foreseeable future," Howell says.The move also benefits the health care continuum -- acute care hospitals, nursing homes, physician offices, surgery centers -- in Michigan by providing Seneca, a large regional option, as a viable alternative to the large national companies in the medical-surgical supply distribution space.If business goes well, the operation at the site could employ up to 50 workers in coming years. "It depends upon how the State of Michigan welcomes us to the area in terms of revenue growth," Howell says.Seneca Medical, founded in 1990 in Tiffin, Ohio, has five distribution facilities and provides a wide spectrum of product distribution and support services to health care providers and other market segments throughout Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee, West Virginia and surrounding states. Seneca Medical also has well-established distribution relationships with more than 1,200 high-quality market-leading manufacturers for a wide range of products and services. Writer: Kathy Jennings Source: Todd R. Howell, Seneca Medical Inc.
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