Ann Arbor SPARK likes to call Lycera's move from the Michigan Life Science Innovation Center in Plymouth to the University of Michigan's North Campus Research Complex a graduation. What's really driving this newly dubbed "graduation" is really old-fashioned growth.
The U-M spin-out is moving on up to 14,000 square feet of office and wet lab space in the old Pfizer campus in northeast Ann Arbor after bursting at the seams at the practically full Michigan Life Science Innovation Center, which is managed by
Ann Arbor SPARK.
"The only space really available with the appropriate lab facilities is at the North Campus Research Complex," says Gary Glick, founder and chief scientific officer of
Lycera. "It's really second to none as far as lab facilities."
Lycera's scientists are developing oral medicines for treating autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. The firm now employs 19 people after adding five jobs over the last year. It plans to add another 8-10 positions over the next year.
Lycera is also looking to broker more partnerships similar to the one it recently formed with pharmaceutical giant Merck. "There will be additional partnerships," Glick says, declining to name any potential collaborators beyond a closer working relationship with U-M.
Source: Gary Glick, founder and chief scientific officer of LyceraWriter: Jon Zemke
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