Michigan Life Sciences Pipeline to Kick Off MichBio Expo

ANN ARBOR, Mich., — The Michigan Life Sciences Pipeline announced today two new concurrent events that will lead into the opening reception of the 2007 MichBio Expo. The Michigan Life Sciences Pipeline is a legislative initiative to promote the development and commercialization of the life sciences in the state. It is being developed by MichBio, the state's life sciences trade association.

The Pipeline events are scheduled from 1-5 pm at the Lansing Center, Lansing, Michigan on October 16, 2007 and include:
Governor's Roundtable on Commercialization and Innovation in the Life Sciences.

This high-level program will focus on larger policy issues affecting the commercialization of Michigan's life sciences industry. In a moderated discussion, a blue-ribbon panel of industry, entrepreneurial, investment, business, and technology experts will discuss a variety of relevant topics including research incentives, technology transfer, capital formation, industry infrastructure, business climate (tax and legal policies) and education/workforce development. An interactive Q&A and dialogue period will follow.
Manufacturers Forum.

This session will focus on how traditional manufacturers can break into the medical device arena. The panel will consist of individuals who have made the transition and one or two representatives from a large medical device company, a small medical device company, and a contract manufacturer. They will outline various business strategies and discuss how manufacturing companies can gain entry into this important sector of the life sciences.

This will be an informative event for any manufacturer considering diversification into the medical device arena. Sponsors include the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center, the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, the Michigan Manufacturers Association, and the Jackson Area Manufacturers Association.
Go to http://www.michbio.org/Expo for more details and registration information.

"The MichBio Expo provides us the perfect venue to introduce the Pipeline to our key constituents, Michigan's small-and mid-size life science companies," said Pipeline program director, Steve Field. "By pairing these events with the MichBio Expo Opening Reception, participants will be able to gain valuable information and then have an opportunity to walk the exhibit floor to network with the life science community."

The Pipeline is intended to focus resources on building commercial life sciences activity in the state. Once complete, the Pipeline will help move companies along the development continuum more rapidly by providing access to training and education, funding resources, networking and partnering opportunities, talent and facilities, legal assistance, etc. An interactive Pipeline website will go live later this year.

Partnering with MichBio in the development of the Pipeline are: CJPS Enterprises, a Bloomfield Hills firm headed by Christophe Sevrain, providing entrepreneurial leadership for companies, as well as Biosciences Research Commercialization Center in Kalamazoo, Biotechnology Business Consultants in Ann Arbor, the Core Technology Alliance (CTA), the state's SmartZones, and the Automotive Resources Institute.