Axiobionics plans Ann Arbor move, to create 100 new jobs

Wednesday, June 17, 2009 | Source: Concentrate

Ann Arbor took another one from Columbus, and this doesn't have anything to do with sports.

Axiobionics has called Columbus home for 15 years, but it's packing up and heading to the land of Maize and Blue before the summer is over. The life sciences company, formerly BioFlex, is bringing its dozen or so jobs and plans to hire another 100 here within the next five years.

The firm had looked at sites across the nation, but choose Ann Arbor after receiving a $1.4 million state tax credit over seven years. Locations Axiobionics considered included Arizona and Texas. The company also liked Ann Arbor's established software community and access to a top-notch teaching hospital like the University of Michigan Hospital.

"This is just a good environment for therapy and rehab," says Joel Dalton, vice president of Axiobionics. "That's something that Ohio lacks."

Axiobionics develops and markets medical devices for pain control and neuro rehabilitation in patients with severe spinal cord and brain injuries. This therapy system uses customized electrical stimulation devices designed to improve stability, build muscles and increase circulation in prosthetic patients.

Axiobionics plans to invest $2.89 million as part of its relocation. Some of those new hires that comes with that investment will be made in the near future.

Source: Joel Dalton, vice president of Axiobionics
Writer: Jon Zemke