ANN ARBOR ? Pfizer has donated more than $4 million in surplus laboratory equipment to Ann Arbor SPARK and MichBio, which will lease the equipment to deserving Michigan technology start ups, with particular emphasis on life sciences companies.

Pfizer, Michigan?s largest life-sciences company, donated more than 200 pieces of surplus research equipment to help get the Michigan Innovation Equipment Depot, or MEID, started. Skip Simms, executive director of the SPARK Boot Camp, said the fair market value is about $1.1 million. He hopes other Michigan corporations will follow Pfizer?s lead and donate surplus technical gear as well.

Examples of the equipment at MEID include:

A mass spectrometer, which separates atoms or molecules based on

miniscule differences in mass and charge while they are speeding through a vacuum. It?s used to determine the structure of a new medicine or any structure changes after a medicine enters the body. Estimated value of a new unit is $327,000.

An ultracentrifuge, which separates small molecules, such as DNA

fragments, by spinning at 130,000 revolutions per minute to generate a force of over a million times gravity. Estimated value of a new unit is $40,000.

High pressure liquid chromatography modules, which are used to

separate, identify and purify amounts of various compounds. Scientists assemble modules in combinations that best suit their needs. Estimated value of a new HPLC system is $15,000.

Potential recipients of the donated equipment must be based in Michigan, demonstrate a critical need, and clearly describe how the equipment will be used. The state?s 11 SmartZones will review the requests and the companies making them, and then forward the most promising requests to MichBio for final evaluation.

By making this equipment available to startups, Pfizer is giving Michigan life sciences a critical boost, said Stephen Rapundalo, executive director of MichBio, the state?s life sciences trade association.

SPARK President Michael Finney said the MEID will license the equipment for use by companies at no cost to the company. The only fee to companies is a 1 percent (of fair market value) administration charge.

Companies that wish to request equipment can begin the process by contacting their nearest SmartZone. For a list of Michigan?s SmartZones, click on Michigan.Org/MEDC/SmartZones