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Ypsilanti’s ISSYS lands $1.5M NIH grant for pre-clinical studies

admin — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:23:14 +0000

Integrated Sensing Systems has scored a $1.5 million grant from the National Institute of Health to help the company finish the pre-clinical work on its new technology, which wirelessly monitors the heart.

"It's the last stage of a very long process before you get to human trials," says Nader Najafi, president & CEO of Integrated Sensing Systems.

The Ypsilanti-based firm, commonly known as ISSYS, designs and develops microelectromechanical systems for medical and scientific sensing applications. Its latest piece of technology is an implant for the heart that allows medical professionals to wirelessly monitor the heart.

"So you can monitor the heart on demand even with home monitoring," Najafi says.

ISSYS, founded in 1995, has been working on this technology for 12 years. It has a staff of 30 and plans to add another 2-3 jobs this year. It will continue clinical trials of the technology for the next two years. After that, Najafi hopes to begin work on human trials, while also receiving FDA approval so it can begin sales.

Source: Nader Najafi, president & CEO of Integrated Sensing Systems
Writer: Jon Zemke

Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.
News from Concentrate

Arbor Networks to Add 20 Jobs in Ann Arbor

Jenn Cornell — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 20:46:54 +0000

Arbor Networks recently announced that it plans to add 20 jobs at its location in Ann Arbor. As part of its expansion, the IT technology security company was awarded a tax abatement to support property improvements and new equipment at its Ann Arbor facility.

“Attracting and retaining Arbor Networks in the Ann Arbor region is reflective of Ann Arbor SPARK’s work to help IT businesses grow in the region,” said Paul Krutko, Ann Arbor SPARK president and CEO. “Our business attraction and retention team structured the incentive package on the behalf of the company and the City of Ann Arbor. SPARK will continue to work closely with Arbor Networks to support its long-term needs, including helping the company connect with tech talent.”

Arbor Networks is headquartered in Massachusetts; its operations here in Ann Arbor are focused on R&D.

Arbor Networks is a leading provider of network security and management solutions for next-generation data centers and carrier networks, including the vast majority of the world’s Internet service providers and many of the largest enterprise networks in use today. Arbor’s proven network security and management solutions help grow and protect customer networks, businesses and brands.

Local Orbit adds customers, doubles staff

admin — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000

A year ago Local Orbit, which connects restaurants and institutions with
local farmers and food producers, was a fresh-faced start-up
prototyping its software, testing out its business model and trying to
gain traction. This year, the Ann Arbor-based firm has
incorporated lessons from early on, enabling it to add customers and
create jobs. Local Orbit will double its staff next week with two new
hires. Another is set to arrive in September. That will bring the total
to five people and the occasional intern from the University of
Michigan’s Ross School of Business. They are managing the company’s
customer’s in four markets. “We’re really excited because we’re working with Eastern Market in Detroit,” says Erika Block, founder & CEO of Local Orbit. Local
Orbit created online software that helps consumers order fresh food
directly from local producers. The experience is similar to shopping on
Amazon, where the farmer drives the food to a local hub so the buyer can
pick up, say, produce within hours of its harvest. “We
expect to have partners in markets in an additional 10 communities
across the country,” Block says. “We’re getting ready to announce some
new partnerships soon.” Source: Erika Block, founder & CEO of Local Orbit Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.
News from Concentrate

Editor’s Pick: Beer & Blue Angels

admin — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

News from Concentrate

Orphan books may finally find a home, readers & researchers win

admin — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 00:00:00 +0000

News from Concentrate

Orphan books may finally find a home, readers & researchers win

admin — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 00:00:00 +0000

News from Concentrate

Congrats to Lycera: Biotech Company Moves to U-M’s NCRC

Jenn Cornell — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 20:12:49 +0000

Congratulations to Lycera on graduating from our Michigan Life Science & Innovation Center biotech incubator to U-M’s North Campus Research Complex (NCRC)! The move will accommodate the growing company’s need for more space; in the fall, Lycera will move into 14,000 square feet at NCRC.

Lycera, a biopharmaceutical company and University of Michigan spinoff, pioneers innovative approaches to the discovery and development of novel oral medicines for treating autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

An announcement from U-M has more details on this exciting news.

American Broach & Machine Company Invests $25M in Ann Arbor Expansion

admin — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 15:41:54 +0000

American Broach & Machine Company will establish a new research and development center in the Ann Arbor region and today received a MEGA tax credit totaling $572,782 to help encourage the expansion.

American Broach & Machine Company, a designer and builder of machine tools for the auto and defense sectors, plans to invest $25 million in a new research and development center in Ypsilanti. The company expects the project to create up to 43 new jobs.

The MEGA award helped convince American Broach & Machine Company to invest in Michigan over competing sites in Canada and China.

Michigan’s Getting It Right

admin — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 03:24:43 +0000

“Simply put, Job One is jobs,” said Governor Rick Snyder tonight at his State of the State address. What a refreshing voice for the people of Michigan!

Open Source Economic Development ®
Michigan Dashboard
Metrics-real results for real people
Economic growth
Health & Education
Value for Government
Quality of Life
Public Safety
Pure Michigan

Talent, entrepreneurs, employers, universities, funding, incubators = JOBS.

Another Blog from Austin, Texas!

vchristofferson — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 17:00:05 +0000

After grabbing lunch with Maureen Krauss, Director of Oakland County Economic Development & Community Fairs, at Jason’s Deli we both agreed that it good but NO Zingerman’s! We were then off to our meeting with AngelouEconomics to chat with Steve Vierck, President of Economic Development. Steve is a native of the Midwest. We agree the view from his office is pretty amazing BUT I bet he misses the beautiful fall colors we are enjoying right now in Michigan! He gave our group great insight on what trends he has been experiencing. From data centers to renewable energy, his firm has been very busy lately. He learned of our Governor-elect Rick Snyder and hopes that with new leadership Michigan can continue to propel itself to the short list of top places to grow manufacturing for the renewable energy of the future. He also was generous and gave some great recommendations for places to experience great Austin entertainment. We are all looking forward to hearing the great music of Austin!