Michigan Life Sciences Corridor

The Michigan Life Sciences Corridor (MLSC) is a $1 billion biotechnology initiative in the U.S. state of Michigan. It started in 1999 with money from the state's settlement with the tobacco industry. The MLSC invests in biotech research at four Michigan institutions: the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan State University in East Lansing, Wayne State University in Detroit, and the Van Andel Institute in Grand Rapids. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation administers the program.

History
In 1998, the State of Michigan, along with 45 other states, reached an $8.5 billion settlement with the U.S. tobacco industry. Former Governor John Engler created the Michigan Life Sciences Corridor in 1999 when he signed Public Act 120 of 1999. The bill appropriated money from the state's settlement with the tobacco industry to fund biotech research at four of Michigan's largest research institutions. Under the management of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the MLSC allocated $1 billion over the course of 20 years, including $50 million in 1999 to fund research on aging. The following year, the MLSC awarded $100 million to 63 Michigan universities. In 2002, current Governor Jennifer Granholm incorporated the MLSC into the Michigan Technology Tri-Corridor, adding funding for homeland security and alternative fuel research. With 14 years left in the program, the leaders of Michigan hope that this investment in high tech research will reduce the state's overreliance on the automotive industry.