WHY MICHIGAN

THE PERFECT PLACE TO LIVE AND WORK

Michigan is a magnificent state with thriving culture, entertaining and outdoor recreation coupled with a low cost of living - the state is ranked 4th in the country for affordability. With an upper peninsula rivaling most national parks in natural beauty - Michiganders are known to vacation without ever leaving the state.

Even more important for the life science sector is a significant and highly-regarded network of research institutions producing qualified scientists and engineers with the trademark Michigan work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit. Add to that access to international markets with a large international airport and the Ambassador Bridge which transports more than 25% of all US/Canadian trade and business-friendly policies, and Michigan is a gem in the heart of the Midwest.

RESOURCES

MichBio supports the growth of Michigan's bio-industry with resources that help organizations identify potential partners and service providers, understanding the statewide industry, and participate in strategic initiatives that drive future innovation and success.

RELENTLESS INNOVATION IS IN MICHIGAN'S DNA

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Michigan is home to a thriving mix of emerging companies and large international brands who are part of a rich legacy of bioscience discovery triumphs and significant contributions to the health and welfare of citizens the world over. Just a few of the notable achievements in the state:

AZT, the first approved treatment for HIV/AIDS was discovered at Wayne State University

Lipitor, the cholesterol-lowering agent and largest selling drug in history was discovered at Parke-Davis Pharmaceuticals in Ann Arbor

Oscillating electric bone saw invested by Dr. Horace Stryker

First U.S. pharmaceutical company - Parke-Davis & Company - and home to the first modern pharmaceutical laboratory and clinical trial methodologies

Hybrid corn, created by genetic modification at Michigan State University, to enhance crop yields

Anthrax vaccine, first manufactured by BioPort (now Emergent BioSolutions) in Lansing

Dilantin, the first marketed epilepsy treatment developed at Parke-Davis & Company

Cisplatin, discovered at Michigan State University, a leading chemotherapy drug

BIOMATTERS® - A MAGAZINE SHOWCASING MICHIGAN'S BIO-INDUSTRY

MichBio curates Michigan bio-industry stories in a twice-annual BioMatters® magazine. The thematic issues include feature stories from major Michigan organizations, industry statistics, up-and-coming company profiles, as well as consultants and advertisers that could be valuable partners for growing businesses. Issues date back to 2008 and include more than 350 organizations in the Michigan ecosystem.

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MICHIGAN'S BIO-INDUSTRY SECTORS

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Agri-Bioscience

Agricultural Processing

Agri-biotech & Seeds

Basic & Renewable (bio-based) Chemicals & Materials

Organic Fibers & Biofuels Manufacturing

Fertilizers

Food, Supplements & Nutraceuticals

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Pharma

Synthetic Drugs

Natural Products & Botanicals

Pharmaceutical Preparations Manufacturing

Vaccines & Biological Products

Consumer Healthcare & Over-the-Counter Drugs

Diagnostic Substances

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Logistics

Distribution of Agricultural Products, Chemicals & Seeds

Distribution of Biomedical Equipment & Supplies

Distribution of Pharmaceutical & Therapeutic Products

Specialty Pharmacies & Drug Management

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Informatics/Health IT

Biomedical Informatics: Bio-Research, Clinical, Imaging, Consumer, Public

Health Informatics, Health Information Management

Digital Health: Healthcare Technology, E-Health, Telehealth, Health Systems Engineering, Clinical Decision Support

BIO-INDUSTRY BY THE NUMBERS

Quick Facts

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Michigan Bio-industry Distribution

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Workforce Statistics

Bioscience Online Job Postings

Slightly over 3,000 job openings were posted in Michigan in 2019. Demand for talent, whether due to workforce turnover and/or new growth, shows a 10% decrease from 2018-19, but is still an almost 20% increase from 2014.

Top Bioscience Employers by Job Postings

Fortune 500 companies reflected 20% of job postings in 2019, while multinationals with greater than 500 employees accounted for 52% of open positions. The roles span a wide range across manufacturing, R&D, sales, and diagnostic/analytical testing.

Michigan as a Talent Exporter

Michigan is a national top 10 producer of bioscience and engineering conferred degrees, but is a net exporter of that talent. Several factors contribute to the exodus, including the desire by new graduates to migrate to major metropolitan areas and industry hubs perceived to be more livable and conducive to professional career growth.

Top Bioscience Occupations

The top bioscience occupations by job postings in 2019 reflect a range of roles and are overwhelmingly technical in focus. However, even many business development jobs expect technical knowledge as it pertains to the underlying science in a given product or therapeutic area. The top five positions include, in order of a total number of postings, Laboratory Technician, Software Developer or Engineer, Chemist, Researcher or Research Associate, and Business Development or Sales Manager.

Top Specialized or Techincal Skills Sought by Employers

Employers increasingly cite the need for specialized and/or technical skills. Quality management skills are most desirable, not surprisingly given the bio-industry's highly regulated work environment, but fundamental laboratory skills in a number of areas are still core. The top five specialized or technical skills sought by employers include Quality Assurance and Control, Chemistry, Laboratory Testing, Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), and Project Management.

Top Baseline or Fundamental Skills Sought by Employers

Employers place great emphasis on so-called "soft skills". Teamwork and collaboration, computer literacy, troubleshooting, attention to detail, and multi-tasking, among others, and particularly communication skills, are key attributes that employers seek.

Desired Experience and Education For New Hires

In Michigan, the predominant requirement (48.5%) in 2019 for working in the bio-industry was a 4-year Bachelor's degree. That reflects the large emphasis on R&D by Michigan's bioscience companies. Requirements for a graduate degree made up an additional 27.7%. Associate or high school degrees account for approximately 24%, and in many cases represent those jobs in the manufacturing or production settings. A little more than one-third of posted positions required 3-5 years of experience.