ANN ARBOR ? Some 131 pieces of equipment worth more than $655,000 have been awarded to 18 companies in Ann Arbor, Kalamazoo, Mt. Pleasant ad Oakland County from the Michigan Innovation Equipment Depot, a surplus equipment depot created last month through a million-dollar donation by Pfizer.

The winners were selected from 25 applicants by Ann Arbor SPARK ad MichBio, the state?s life sciences trade association.

“The Michigan Innovation Equipment Depot is succeeding in its mission to put high value equipment into the hands of life science start-up companies,” said SPARK CEO Michael Finney. “Emerging companies are often cash-strapped and unable to invest in the equipment needed to propel their research and product development. The Michigan Innovation Equipment Depot is providing vital support to life science companies throughout the state.”

Equipment donated in this initial round from MIED ranged in value from $25 to $125,000. Recipients received a variety of life sciences equipment, including an autoclave, NMR, microscopes, lab ovens, spectrometer and liquid chromatograph. The average item value totaled $4,404 of fair market value.

“MichBio is very pleased with the outcome of this first round of equipment allocations,” said Stephen Rapundalo, executive director, MichBio, “The MIED review panel put forth significant effort to identify considerable rationale for the equipment on the part of successful applicants. We look forward to continuing the program and hope that other life science companies will take advantage of this unique and excellent state-wide resource.”

Recipients of equipment from MIED must be based in Michigan, demonstrate a critical need for the equipment, and clearly describe how the equipment will be used.

“It’s gratifying for us at Pfizer to see this research equipment reach the hands of innovators through the MIED,” said David Canter, senior vice president and site director for Pfizer’s Michigan Laboratories. Pfizer donated more than 200 pieces of surplus research equipment worth over $1 million to help get the MIED off the ground.

Ann Arbor SPARK and MichBio, working with Michigan’s 11 SmartZones, will continue to manage distribution of the equipment to life-science startups from across the state.

Companies that wish to request equipment from MIED can begin the process by completing the application form found at MichBio.Org