Life Sciences & Health Care
Since 2000, Michigan has led the nation as one of the fastest growing Life Sciences and Health Care states. Over $2 billion has been invested in research and development this decade, and nearly 120 new life sciences companies have been created. This growth has far exceeded the U.S. average -- rising 27% in employment, 32% in number of companies, and 165% in sales.
Together, Wayne County’s Life Sciences and Health Care industries employ over 100,000 people. With a payroll of $5.64 billion, these companies have made Wayne County the epicenter of the Life Sciences and Health Care boom in Michigan. Nearly half of the region’s employment in healthcare research and manufacturing is by companies located in Wayne County, and Wayne County employs half of all area residents working in the life sciences industry (manufacturing and R&D).
Life Science & Healthcare Delivery Industry Employment (2008)
| County | Employment | Percent of Total County Employment | Share of Region |
| Wayne | 103,141 | 13.6% | 36.3% |
| Oakland | 85,543 | 12.0% | 30.1% |
| Macomb | 34,054 | 10.7% | 12.0% |
| Washtenaw | 22,925 | 11.7% | 8.1% |
| Genesee | 19,647 | 13.8% | 6.9% |
| St. Clair | 6,985 | 13.8% | 2.5% |
| Monroe | 4,276 | 9.7% | 1.5% |
| Livingston | 3,787 | 7.7% | 1.3% |
| Lenawee | 2,475 | 8.2% | 0.9% |
| Lapeer | 1,099 | 5.1% | 0.4% |
| 10-County Region | 283,932 | 12.2% | 100.0% |
| Source: Economic Modeling Specialists | |||
The synergy between Wayne County’s outstanding universities, teaching hospitals, and life sciences companies is conducive to a strong and growing industry presence in the years ahead.
In fact, just this year Wayne County Executive Robert A. Ficano announced a partnership between the public, private, and academic sectors to create Michigan’s first Stem Cell Development and Commercialization Center in TechTown, Detroit’s cutting edge research and technology park. The Center capitalizes on recent legislation passed by the state that paves the way for embryonic stem cell research, while leveraging the gains already made in mature stem cell technology.
Wayne County has the educational capacity and advanced infrastructure to support the demands of this highly technical industry, and it remains committed to creating an atmosphere where the life sciences and healthcare industries will continue to enjoy unprecedented growth in the State of Michigan in the years to come.
Partners
The Michigan Life Science and Innovation CenterPlymouth Twp, MI
In July 2008, the Greater Wayne Economic Development Corporation partnered with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Ann Arbor SPARK to create the Michigan Life Science and Innovation Center in Plymouth Township. The Center, a 57,518-square-foot building, offers office space, laboratory facilities and rare vivarium areas that will be accessible by the private sector.
The Life Science Research and Innovation Center is a unique concept in economic development. It will, for the first time, connect experienced entrepreneurs in the Life Sciences & Health Care industry such as Esperion Therapeutics to business accelerator organizations and start-up companies under one roof. What was once a vacant Pfizer laboratory is now a cutting edge business accelerator expected to reach 2/3rd capacity by mid-2009.
In 2009, Wayne County will be giving a $250,000 grant to start-up companies located in the Life Science Research and Innovation Center.
TechTown
Wayne State University Research and Technology Park, Detroit, MI
Located in Detroit’s Midtown district on the campus of Wayne State University, TechTown has developed into an epicenter of high-tech business creation by equipping new Life Sciences & Health Care companies with the services, support and resources they need to grow and thrive. Asterand, the anchor tenant at TechTown, is the leading global supplier of human tissue and human tissue-based research services to pharmaceutical companies engaged in drug discovery and development.
In December 2008, the Wayne County Land Bank Corporation announced a $750,000 construction grant to TechTown. This grant will enable TechTown to build out 10,000 square feet of office and laboratory space on its third floor – enough for nine to twelve new tenants. There is already a waiting list for this space.
Projects
Vanguard Health Systems
Detroit, MI
In a deal that will change the landscape of health care in Southeast Michigan, Vanguard Health Systems has announced that it is purchasing the Detroit Medical Center (DMC). Vanguard paid DMC $417 million dollars, and has promised to invest up to $850 million into the surrounding medical campus, making it the largest investment in the City of Detroit’s history.
Ash Stevens
Detroit and Riverview, MI
In 2010, Ash Stevens, a provider of life science research services to the federal government and pioneer in cancer-treatment drugs, announced a $14.9 million expansion at its facility in Riverview. Founded in 1962, Ash Stevens is one of Southeast Michigan’s largest biotechnology companies, devoting most of its business operations to development and manufacturing for commercial life science companies around the world.
Roush Life Sciences
Livonia, MI
In 2009, the Wayne County Land Bank Corporation provided a grant to Roush Life Sciences to aid in Roush’s market diversification strategies. Roush, an internationally recognized automotive supplier, will use the grant to secure R & D funding to develop new life sciences products to be manufactured in Wayne County, MI.
Caraco Pharmaceutical Laboratories, Ltd.
Detroit, MI
In December 2007, generic drug maker Caraco announced the expansion of its New Center manufacturing plant in Detroit. The $22 million expansion will add nearly another 600 jobs by 2012 and will keep this biotech firm growing in Michigan. In 2006, Caraco had sales growth of 200 percent, reaching $350 million.
Health Care Facilities
In Detroit| The Detroit Medical Center | Detroit Riverview Hospital 7733 E. Jefferson Ave., Detroit Ph: (313) 499-3000 |
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Children's Hospital of Michigan |
St. John Hospital & Medical Center 22101 Moross Road, Detroit Ph: (313) 343-7310 |
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Detroit Receiving Hospital |
Henry Ford Health System 2799 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit Ph: (313) 876-2600 [ Locations ] |
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Grace Hospital |
Triumph Hospital 4777 East Outer Drive, Detroit Ph: (313) 369-5800 |
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Harper Hospital |
John D. Dingell VA Medical Center 4646 John R, Detroit Ph: (313) 576-1000 |
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Hutzel Hospital |
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Rehabilitation Institute |
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| Saratoga Community Hospital 15000 Gratiot, Detroit Ph: (313) 245-1200 |
Elsewhere in Wayne County
| Beaumont Hospital, Grosse Pointe 468 Cadieux Road, Grosse Pointe Ph: (313) 343-1501 |
Garden City Hospital 6245 N. Inkster Road, Garden City Ph: (734) 421-3300 |
| Henry Ford Cottage Hospital 159 Kercheval Ave., Grosse Pointe Farms Ph: (313) 884-8600 |
Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital 2333 Biddle Ave., Wyandotte Ph: (313) 284-2400 |
| Kindred Hospital-Detroit 26400 W. Outer Drive, Lincoln Park Ph: (313) 386-2000 |
Oakwood Hospital 18101 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn Ph: (313) 593-7000 |
| Oakwood Annapolis Hospital 33155 Annapolis Road, Wayne Ph: (734) 467-4000 |
Oakwood Healthcare Center 10151 Michigan Ave., Dearborn Ph: (313) 436-2400 |
| Oakwood Heritage Hospital 10000 Telegraph Road, Taylor Ph: (313) 295-5000 |
Oakwood Southshore Medical Center 5450 Fort St., Trenton Ph: (734) 671-3800 |
| St. Mary Mercy Hospital 35475 Five Mile Road, Livonia Ph: (734) 464-4800 |
VA Medical Center 3415 Southfield Road, Allen Park Ph: (313) 562-6000 |
Other Resources
Core Technology Alliance
The CTA Corp. is a not-for-profit non-stock membership organization owned equally by founding members Michigan State University, the University of Michigan, Wayne State University and the Van Andel Research Institute, as well as non-founding members Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo Valley Community College and Grand Valley State University. It enables coordinated scientific leadership, marketing, strategic planning, and decision-making across the core facilities, augmenting the growth of Michigan’s life science sector.
MichBio
MichBio is the biosciences industry trade association and the official Michigan affiliate of the Biotechnology Industry Organization, BIO, which represents biotechnology companies across America and in 33 other nations. It promotes cooperation between Michigan’s bioscience-related businesses, forges stronger relationships, develops business-to-business opportunities, and serves as a united industry voice to improve the overall science-friendly environment for attracting and founding new business.
Wayne County sponsored and participated in the MichBio Biosciences Policy Summit at the fourth annual MichBio Expo in November 2008. By participating in this panel, the County was able to receive valuable input from Michigan’s Life Sciences & Health Care professionals about the challenges and opportunities their industry is facing.
Michigan Life Sciences & Health Care Pipeline
The Michigan Life Sciences & Health Care Pipeline is an organization dedicated to providing a thriving home for the Life Sciences & Health Care. Its mission is to fill as many lab coats as possible with people who have made it their life’s purpose to improve life as we know it.





















