LANSING ? MichBio, the state Life Sciences trade association, has been chosen to coordinate commercialization of life sciences products and services, assist start-up companies and develop marketing programs in hopes of giving the very young Michigan life sciences industry an economic shot in the arm.

MichBio?s mandate under the 21st Century Jobs Fund Life Sciences Pipeline also will over regulatory approval and intellectual property issues and the peer-review process as Pipeline creates a network of researchers, entrepreneurs and service providers that Gov. Jennifer Granholm hopes will promote the growth of this important new industry in Michigan- economic growth that could soften the blow of the declining Detroit-based auto industry.

The Life Sciences Pipeline mechanism is required as part of the 21st Century Jobs Fund initiative signed into law last November.

?This is a major step forward in my administration?s plan to jump-start the next phase of Michigan?s economic transformation,? Granholm said. ?By getting research breakthroughs and entrepreneurial innovations into the pipeline leading to commercialization and company formation, we are taking action to help our scientific and technical professionals deliver their products and services to the marketplace.?

As operator of the pipeline, MichBio will coordinate commercialization of life sciences products and services, assist start-up companies and develop marketing programs, in addition to overseeing regulatory approval and intellectual property issues and the peer-review process. Responsibilities will include recruiting business membership in the pipeline, compiling a list of the state?s life sciences companies and facilitating business activity between pipeline members at preferential rates.

The state Administrative Board made the selection from a field of four proposals competing for the designation.

“MichBio is excited to broaden its mission and scope to further expand the impact of Michigan’s life sciences industry,” said MichBio Executive Director Stephen Rapundalo. “The Life Sciences Pipeline program will coordinate partners across the state in the common goal of strengthening our competitiveness and depth in commercialization.”

For more information, click on MichBio.Org