Asterand, a private Detroit company that specializes in human tissue supply, has joined forces with U.K.-based Pharmagene, forming one of the world's leading companies in tissue supply and tissue-based research. Asterand began more than five years ago as an operation that was running out of one lab in the Karmanos Cancer Institute, then moved to Wayne State University 's TechTown, the city's only research and technology park. Asterand Chief Executive Officer Randal Charlton said his company's relocation has helped bring the spotlight to downtown Detroit and TechTown, an area that is an excellent starting point for Michigan 's life sciences industry.