U-M will help launch high-tech research lab

Ann Arbor News – April 20, 2007

By Jenny Rode

After months of planning, a high-tech research lab planned as an incubator for start-up companies is moving forward with an important new partner: the University of Michigan.

Early next year, U-M will become the main leaseholder for 34,400 square feet of lab space at 2900 Huron Parkway, north of Plymouth Road currently occupied by Pfizer. The space is not located on Pfizer's main campus.

The university will sublease some of the space to Ann Arbor Spark, the area's economic development agency for a wet lab incubator, to be occupied by several startup companies.

A wet lab is a climate-controlled, sterile and specially ventilated space used for high-tech chemical and biological research. Officials from Spark said they have been working on the project for nine or 10 months.

Jenny Rode can be reached at jrode@annarbornews.com or 734-994-6843.