ANN ARBOR ? Pharma giant Pfizer, which has all but walked away from its Ann Arbor R&D labs, is donating up to $6 million in sophisticated research equipment to the Michigan Innovation Equipment Depot and to state universities and community colleges to help build new Biotechnology companies.
Up to $4.5 million in surplus lab equipment will go to the depot. 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 the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Wayne State University and Eastern Michigan University. What?s more, 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 was launched in 2006 by Pfizer Global Research and Development, MichBio, Ann Arbor SPARK 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.
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.
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.
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