Surplus Gear to Support Michigan Innovation Equipment Depot & Startups;
Universities, Community Colleges & Schools Also Receiving Supplies
ANN ARBOR, Mich.; Jan. 22, 2008 – Sophisticated research equipment donated by Pfizer Inc is now available to life-science companies throughout Michigan through the Michigan Innovation Equipment Depot (MIED).
Up to $4.5 million in surplus lab equipment will go to MIED. Most of the equipment will come from Pfizer’s Ann Arbor site, which is closing at the end of 2008. Ann Arbor Spark, MichBio and Southwest Michigan First will manage distribution of the equipment to life science startups across the state, supported by $550,000 in funding from Michigan’s 21st Century Jobs Fund.
Pfizer also announced that it would donate up to $1.25 million worth of research equipment, glassware and other lab supplies to four Michigan universities – University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Wayne State University and Eastern Michigan University.
In addition, Pfizer will donate up to $250,000 in lab glassware and supplies to more than 35 middle schools, high schools and community colleges throughout Michigan.
“From growing the economy to curing disease, the life-sciences industry touches everybody,” said David Canter, senior vice president for Pfizer Global Research & Development. “In recognition of our research legacy and our ongoing presence in Michigan, Pfizer is making this donation to help nurture science education, drive economic growth and promote new medical breakthroughs.”
MIED SUPPORTS LIFE-SCIENCE STARTUPS
MIED was launched in 2006 by Ann Arbor Spark in partnership with Pfizer Global Research and Development, MichBio and the state’s SmartZones with Pfizer-donated lab equipment worth $1.3 million. Twenty-seven Michigan life-science companies have participated in the MIED program.
“MIED provides critical support to resource-hungry emerging companies,” said Ann Arbor SPARK CEO Michael A. Finney. “Emerging companies, especially in the life sciences space, require sophisticated, and often costly, equipment to enable the evolution of their research from the lab to the market. MIED is supporting Michigan’s life sciences community by making this equipment available to the growing companies that are propelling the state’s new economy.”
The donated equipment will range from familiar items such as microscopes and ultra-low temperature freezers to more specialized gear such as high-pressure liquid chromatography instruments that are used to separate, identify, purify and determine the amount of various chemical compounds. MIED will identify recipients by working with Michigan’s 11 SmartZones, which are collaborations between universities, industry, research organizations, government and other community institutions that stimulate the growth of technology-based businesses.
“MIED has assisted many of the growing life-science companies that we’re working with throughout the state,” said MichBio Executive Director Stephen Rapundalo. “Given the immediate need that many of our start-ups have, this donation is coming at a perfect time.”
“Southwest Michigan First could not be more pleased to partner with Ann Arbor Spark, MichBio and Pfizer to ensure that the MIED continues our 100-year legacy of growing life-science companies. Once again, Pfizer has proven itself to be a great partner,” said Ron Kitchens, CEO of Southwest Michigan First.
Potential recipients of the donated equipment must have a presence in Michigan where the equipment will be used, demonstrate a critical need for the equipment, and clearly describe how the equipment will be used. For more information and to apply online, companies can visit http://www.AnnArborUSA.org/MIED.
UNIVERSITIES BENEFIT FROM EQUIPMENT DONATIONS
Four universities in Michigan will receive up to $1.25 million in donated laboratory equipment from Pfizer to augment their research and education programs. They include the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Wayne State University and Eastern Michigan University.
“The donation of this equipment by Pfizer is not only important to the academic research it will support at U-M, but also in advancing U-M\'s efforts to promote more business development in the life sciences and other knowledge-based industries in Michigan,” said Stephen R. Forest, Vice President for Research, University of Michigan.
"This is a great opportunity that Pfizer has made available to the URC institutions and Eastern,” commented Dr. Hilary Ratner, Vice President for Research at Wayne State University. “We are grateful for this donation that will assist our faculty in their important research efforts. We will miss Pfizer as a local colleague, but look forward to continuing a productive relationship with them.”
Additional lab supplies, such as glassware, plasticware, gloves and other items, are going to Wayne County Community College, Henry Ford Community College, and at least 35 middle schools and high schools throughout the state, including schools in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Detroit, Kalamazoo, Benton Harbor and elsewhere.
PFIZER DONATIONS EASE IMPACT OF SITE CLOSURES
The Pfizer equipment donations are the latest step by the company in keeping its promise to ease the impact of recent site closures in Michigan. Most of these efforts have focused on supporting the state’s growing life sciences economy and promoting science education:
-- In 2007, the company announced that it would begin working with Michigan State University on a plan to donate a vacant Pfizer research facility in Holland, valued at $50 million, for use as a bioeconomy research and development center.
-- The Pfizer Foundation pledged a minimum base match of $620,000 for 2007 and $310,000 for 2008, in addition to employee contributions, for the Washtenaw County United Way.
-- Earlier this month, the Pfizer Foundation presented the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation with $1 million to assist area nonprofit agencies.
-- Other Pfizer contributions in recent years include $30 million in facilities, equipment and contracts for three Kalamazoo-based startups in 2003; more than $3 million in surplus research equipment to Western Michigan University in 2004; and donations of lab glassware and supplies worth hundreds of thousands of dollars to dozens of schools in west, central and east Michigan.
Pfizer operates a major site in Kalamazoo County, home of Pfizer’s largest manufacturing plant in the world and the company’s global veterinary medicine research and development headquarters. Nearly 4,000 Pfizer colleagues work in Michigan. Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures and markets leading prescription medicines for humans and animals.
Contacts: Ann Arbor SPARK: Elizabeth Parkinson, 734-7617, elizabeth@annarborusa.org
MichBio: Stephen Rapundalo, 734-615-9670, srapundalo@michbio.org
Southwest Michigan First: Ron Kitchens, 269-553-9588, rkitchens@swmfirst.com
Pfizer: Rick Chambers, 269-833-6387, richard.t.chambers@pfizer.com
On the web: Ann Arbor Spark: http://www.AnnArborUSA.org
MichBio: http://www.michbio.org
Southwest Michigan First: http://www.southwestmichiganfirst.com
Pfizer: http://www.pfizer.com