The fund was designed to assist former Pfizer scientists in starting new companies. Ten of the proposals originated from Kalamazoo County and one from Ann Arbor.
“This fund will be the catalyst for starting several new profitable life sciences ventures throughout the state of Michigan and helping to continue Michigan’s rich pharmaceutical heritage,” Granholm stated.
She referred to the awards as “another step forward” in keeping Pfizer workers here.
According to the governor’s office, all the proposals funded have pharmaceutical ties but focus on a wide range of specialties, including contract research, contract chemistry, drug discovery and pre-clinical profiling.