Assay Designs

Assay Designs Discovers Vibrant Biotech Business Community in Ann Arbor
Assay Designs was facing a critical juncture in its life cycle in 1993.

"A decision on whether or not to go full steam ahead was required," said founder Russ Hart. "We could either stop at the research phase of the business or move forward towards commercialization."

Russ and his business partner and wife, Barbara Scheuer, decided to move forward and relocated the business to Ann Arbor from Athens, Georgia.

"From the outset, the Ann Arbor community has proven to be a vibrant place for businesses to share resources and growing pains," Hart said. "We learned to collaborate with the Tech Transfer office at the University of Michigan as well as to take advantage of research and other options for funding and collaboration presented by the University of Michigan. The Ann Arbor business and academic communities are very supportive of promoting small businesses, especially start-up and entrepreneurial businesses."

Shortly after moving to Ann Arbor, Assay Designs was awarded Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) funding that provided the needed capital to move the business to the next level. The SBIR funding allowed Assay Designs to pursue a growth strategy.

Using the funding from the SBIR grant, Assay Designs joined a group of small start-ups to share wet lab and incubator space in Ann Arbor. Since then, Assay Designs has grown to become a dominant player within its industry.

Assay Designs develops, manufactures and markets immunoassay (ELISA) kits, luminescent reagents, antibodies, proteins, DNA products, and extracts that are used for life sciences research. The products are marketed under the "Assay Designs" and "Stressgen" brand names. Researchers use Assay Designs' products to detect and quantify molecules that are important in inflammation, cancer, cell signaling and oxidative stress.

The company recently expanded its presence in Ann Arbor with the relocation of its headquarters to a new a 27,000 square foot custom-designed facility in the State Street Business Park. Its new facility provides an improved work environment for Assay Designs' 85 employees as well as the infrastructure required to expand Assay's research, sales and marketing efforts.

"Not being on a crowded coast means there is less competition for Assay Designs for partnership and exclusive licensing of products," Hart added. "For biotech companies, Ann Arbor offers a great pool of talent that the University of Michigan produces every year, plus biotech has the extra benefit of Pfizer's Research and Development operations right here in town. Assay Designs has been able to hire some of Pfizer's temporary employees, saving Assay Designs time and resources as these employees were already experienced in and highly trained in the pharmaceutical space."

Ann Arbor's close proximity to the metropolitan Detroit area is also a benefit for companies like Assay Designs. "The fact that there is a major airport very convenient to Ann Arbor makes it a great location for companies seeking to do business internationally," Hart explained. "In 20 minutes, I can be at Metro Airport, ready to catch a flight to Europe or Asia. It's convenient to be able to work in Ann Arbor until 5 p.m. and be in Europe the next morning. Places like Boston and San Diego, where metropolitan areas are far from major airports, don't afford this same luxury."

"The business climate in the Ann Arbor region is extremely healthy and businesses here are spoiled by the availability of world class services," Hart said. "Ann Arbor offers a tremendous amount of support services, including lawyers, bankers, accountants, and marketers. Additionally, the Midwest culture is loyal, hardworking and conscientious, attributes that make it conducive to building long-term relationships."

With its new Ann Arbor-based facility providing the infrastructure needed to support staff, research and operational needs, Assay Designs is poised to maintain its industry leadership. As the company explores new opportunities for collaboration and licensing, Assay Designs will continue to draw on the resources available locally and regionally to promote its growth and success.

"The business climate in Ann Arbor is extremely healthy. Businesses here are spoiled by the availability of world class services."

Russ Hart
Founder and CEO of Assay Designs