Michigan has long been known for its manufacturing prowess, particularly in the automotive industry. However, the state’s western region, including cities like Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids, has emerged as a hub for life sciences investments and innovation. The state’s focus on healthcare, medical device technologies and chemical manufacturing has attracted a host of companies from around the world, and West Michigan has been at the center of the state’s quest to establish itself as a leader in the industry.
Higher Ed Partners
One of the key factors driving the state’s success in the life sciences sector is its strong network of research institutions and universities throughout the state that feature dedicated programs and laboratory space to support the future of Michigan’s healthcare and life sciences workforce.
In addition to world-renowned research centers like University of Michigan and Michigan State University, the state has a host of smaller colleges and universities dedicated to advancing the frontiers of science and technology. Western Michigan University, Grand Valley State University and Kalamazoo College, among others, also provide a steady stream of talent and research expertise to support these companies.
This concentration of talent and resources has attracted a growing number of life sciences companies to the state, as they seek to tap into the expertise and knowledge of Michigan’s research community.
“As the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) strives to make the state’s economy the fastest-growing, most equitable, and most resilient in the nation, developing the talent for Michigan’s tomorrow is a foundational piece of the puzzle,” said MEDC Executive Vice President and Chief Talent Solutions & Engagement Officer Kerry Ebersole Singh.
Building upon this legacy of impactful research and development success stories, the state has also primed itself as a top ten location for biotech, healthcare and medical device manufacturing, with $1.62 billion in expenditures and $956 million in venture capital investments between 2018 and 2021.
Recent Major Investments
Over the past five years, several life sciences companies have invested significantly in West Michigan, creating jobs and driving economic growth across the region. As the proud home to 275 medical device and life sciences firms, Michigan is among the top ten states in the nation for medical device manufacturing companies and biomedical engineering graduates.
In 2019, Kalamazoo-based Stryker Corporation, a top 10 manufacturer of medical devices and equipment in the country, announced a $200 million investment in Michigan, which included the construction of a new facility in nearby Portage that will house the company’s neurotechnology division. The investment is expected to create 260 new jobs and further position Michigan as a center for medical device innovation.
Another company that has made a major investment in West Michigan is Pfizer, one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies. In March 2021, Pfizer broke ground on its sterile injectable pharmaceutical production facility – known as Modular Aseptic Processing – in Portage.
The project was supported by a $1 million Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant approved by the Michigan Strategic Fund and will ensure the uninterrupted supply of Pfizer medicines and vaccines. The investment will add approximately 450 new jobs in Kalamazoo County and transform the company’s 1,300-acre facility into the most technologically advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing location in the world.
Pfizer’s expansion in West Michigan didn’t stop there. At the end of 2022, the company announced another $750 million investment to expand its capacity and create even more long-term economic opportunities for Michiganders.
“Since 2017, Pfizer has invested $5 billion to support the ongoing growth of our manufacturing leadership in the U.S.,” said Albert Bourla, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at Pfizer. “This expansion is part of our blueprint to grow our U.S. manufacturing base, create more manufacturing jobs and help ensure patients everywhere can get the medicines they need.”
Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
In addition to attracting investment from major life sciences companies, West Michigan has also cultivated a thriving ecosystem of startups and early-stage companies. The MEDC has played a key role in supporting these companies, providing funding, mentorship and other resources to help them grow.
The Michigan Strategic Fund, which oversees the state’s economic development programs, has invested more than $47 million in life sciences startups over the past five years, helping to support the development of new drugs, medical devices and other technologies. Recent investments include a $300,000 performance-based grant awarded to C2Dx Inc. for its plans to onshore production from Mexico to Kalamazoo and a $500,000 performance-based grant awarded to West Contract Manufacturing to support the $6 million expansion of its Walker-based facility. The two projects combined will create up to 150 jobs in the West Michigan region.
West Michigan’s supportive business environment has helped to foster a thriving ecosystem of tech startups in the life sciences and biotech industries. The region’s favorable tax policies, low cost of living and strong network of research institutions have created a supportive environment for startups to flourish.
Medical Mile
The world-renowned Medical Mile in Grand Rapids acts as a destination for health systems, universities and medical manufacturers from across the globe. This stretch of downtown lined with top healthcare organizations, research hubs and university satellite sites has become a hub for cutting-edge research and development in the life sciences, attracting investment from companies around the world, including Perrigo, which relocated its North American corporate headquarters to the Medical Mile in October 2020.
“Perrigo established its roots in West Michigan more than 130 years ago,” said Murray Kessler, President and Chief Executive Officer of Perrigo. “Since then, we’ve become an industry leader and created thousands of jobs in the region. We are excited to continue our growth in the heart of a thriving city.”
West Michigan has become a growing hub for life sciences industry growth in the state, with medical and life sciences professionals from around the world leveraging the region’s clinical, research and academic institutions. In fact, the region has five times more workers than the U.S. average in the medical device sector.
West Michigan has become a growing hub for life sciences industry growth in the state, with medical and life sciences professionals from around the world leveraging the region’s clinical, research and academic institutions. In fact, the region has five times more workers than the U.S. average in the medical device sector.
Life Sciences Prosper in Michigan
Bolstered by a strong network of research institutions and universities and a focus on developing a strong talent pipeline, Michigan has emerged as a leader in life sciences innovations. With major investments from companies like Stryker, Pfizer and Perrigo, and a thriving ecosystem of startups and early-stage companies, specifically in the West Michigan region, the state is well-positioned to continue driving innovation and growth in these critical industries. Thanks to MEDC’s support for these companies and its commitment to workforce development, Michigan will experience continued success for years to come.
To see why companies like Pfizer, Stryker and others are choosing to invest and grow in West Michigan, visit https://www.michiganbusiness.org/pure-opportunity/.
