Thinking big in biotech; New companies put West Michigan on the map
GRAND RAPIDS -- Vital signs for West Michigan manufacturing are strong for the medical device industry.
Take MedBio Inc., for example.
In just three years, the Grand Rapids firm has seen sales climb to $4 million -- double its revenues of 2006. Before the end of the year, Chris Williams, president and co-owner, expects to grow his 28-person work force by two to four employees.
"It's definitely paying off," said Williams, who with his father, Ronald, bought into the company last year started by businessman Roosevelt Tillman.
MedBio, 630 S. Division Ave., is a contract injection molder and assembler of disposable medical and diagnostic devices, such as catheters, tubing and needles, that are incorporated into products sold around the world.
The manufacturer, at 630 S. Division Ave., is one of 200 life science businesses stretching from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo.
It's a sign West Michigan is on its way to attaining prominence in the life sciences industry, the focus of a report unveiled Tuesday.
Grand Rapids' growing medical research capabilities, combined with Kalamazoo's heritage of producing drugs and medical devices, create a critical mass that can compete with such life sciences hotbeds as Boston, Seattle and Singapore.
The study recommends implementing 16 strategies at a price tag of $750 million to $1 billion to generate $5 billion in new investment to the region within a decade.
The strategies called for tripling patents developed or acquired for commercialization, attracting venture capital for later stage research and drawing larger pools of academic talent in engineering and life sciences.
Global networking
The report also calls for expanding the region's global connections and markets.
"This is not a plan because no one has bought into the plan. It's just a concept," said Ed Bee, of Louisiana-based Taimerica Management Co., tapped by The Right Place and Southwest Michigan First to do the analysis.
But generating life sciences hubs in regions such as West Michigan has become more challenging the past five years because the competition is more intense.
"When you are successful, you do see a huge impact," Bee said.
The groundwork for many strategies and ideas in the report already has been laid.
Several organizations have been created to draw attention to the region's capacity for clinical trials, drug testing, research and development and technology transfer, said Kim Bode, marketing director for West Michigan Science and Technology Initiative.
The initiative, headquartered at Grand Valley State University, was started by the state in 2002 to develop a life-science cluster in West Michigan.
"What sets us apart from San Diego and Boston is the amount of collaboration," Bode said.
The result is a growing infrastructure and support for innovators and entrepreneurs. For instance, MedBio was among firms in June helping found the West Michigan Medical Device Consortium.
Other consortium members include ATEK Medical, Autocam Medical, Emerald Medical Devices and Supplies, Inrad Inc., Cascade Life Solutions and Surge Medical.
Another prime resource for West Michigan is the Van Andel Institute.
With world-class scientists on staff, the Grand Rapids facility's research will offer incentive for commercializing medical research, according to the report.
"This (report) helps some of the doubters begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel. It helps confirm the steps we have taken are working," said David Van Andel, chairman of the Van Andel Institute.
"It also confirms that it's not a sprint. It's a marathon. You have to pace yourself."