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MUCI History and Membership
Prior to the initiation of the first Michigan Life Sciences Corridor (MLSC) funding competition, a grass roots committee experienced in commercialization issues was asked by the MLSC Planning Committee to develop some common perspectives on Life Sciences intellectual property (IP) management for the Corridor. The overarching principle of our committee was that by bringing together those in the Corridor with primary responsibility for facilitating and negotiating intellectual property and technology commercialization “deals” based on university research, we could improve the climate for technology transfer in Michigan and promote a successful Life Sciences industry. Michigan State University, University of Michigan, and Wayne State University teamed up to submit a proposal titled, “The Michigan Universities Commercialization Initiative” (MUCI) to the 2000 MLSC RFP. This proposal included several major objectives:
The MUCI proposal was funded and shortly thereafter, the Van Andel Research Institute was included as a partner in this collaborative effort. Additionally, this cohort submitted a second MUCI proposal to the MLSC 2001 RFP, requesting funds to further enhance the activities initiated under the first MUCI proposal. This request was granted, boosting the commercialization challenge fund to over $2.57 million. A $250,000 grant from MEDC (the Michigan Economic Development Corporation) in 2005 extended the project further. MUCI is currently supported by a grant from the 21st Century Jobs Fund. This award created a new Challenge Fund of $4.5 million to support commercialization projects in advanced automotive & manufacturing, alternative energy, homeland security, and life sciences technologies. Since 2001, the institutional membership has grown to include addtional Michigan public universities.
Collaboration beyond the Member Institutions In addition to its academic partners, MUCI also benefits from the involvement of a diverse and experienced group of commercialization experts. Representatives from university, venture capital and industry sectors work together on MUCI by serving on the Intellectual Property Commercialization Committee (IPCC), MUCI's advisory board, and on two Challenge Fund Review committees: one charged with reviewing life sciences proposals, and another which reads proposals in advanced automotive & manufacturing, alternative energy, and homeland security technologies. These important contributors to MUCI are associated with a wide variety of organizations, including:
Entities that previously have contributed staff time and talent include:
In the first years, MUCI helped foster technology transfer activities
in Michigan by disseminating technology transfer educational materials
and sharing best practices through newsletters, a website, publications,
and joint meetings. In 2001, before the development of Michigan’s
SmartZone system, there were few if any incubators available to
support the budding life sciences industry. At that time, there
was a MUCI Incubator Liaison who helped faculty researchers find
incubator space in which to start their spin-off companies. This
is no longer necessary although incubator resource materials are
still made available via the MUCI website. MUCI has developed responsively
to the State’s changing needs. If you have any questions about MUCI, please contact the MUCI Business
Manager at MUCIadministrator@umich.edu  |
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Copyright
©2001 - 2007 Michigan Universities Commercialization Initiative.
muci.org MUCI is funded by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation through the 21st Century Jobs Fund. |