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MICHBIO: BioLink 9.8.26 – Stay Informed & Connected

September 10, 2026

Michigan Business Network

The Michigan Medical Device Summit™ Returns September 30

Michigan’s medtech community comes together on September 30 at Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor for the 2026 Michigan Medical Device Summit^™.

This year’s Summit will bring together medical device manufacturers, innovators, suppliers, researchers, regulators, and industry leaders from across Michigan. Attendees can explore strategy & commercialization and technology & manufacturing tracks, connect with companies throughout the exhibit area, hear emerging technologies highlighted in the Medtech Spotlight, and gain perspective on the regulatory, business, and market issues impacting medtech today.

The program features Dr. Michelle Tarver, Director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), along with Greg Crist of AdvaMed, who will close the day with MedTech at a Crossroads.

Whether you’re developing the next medical technology, bringing products to market, supporting manufacturers, or navigating an evolving regulatory environment, the Michigan Medical Device Summit^™ offers an opportunity to connect with the people and ideas moving the industry forward.

REGISTER TODAY

Your Voice. Michigan’s Future. Help Shape the Future of Michigan’s Life Sciences Industry

Michigan’s life sciences industry is at a pivotal moment. With a new Governor and Legislature taking office in January 2027, MichBio is working to ensure the priorities of Michigan’s life sciences community are part of the conversation from the start.

The Michigan Life Sciences Competitiveness Survey is gathering input from across the state on the issues that matter most—from workforce and access to capital to commercialization, manufacturing, business climate, and collaboration. The results will help shape MichBio’s advocacy priorities and inform a data-driven policy agenda for Michigan’s next administration.

Take a few minutes to share your perspective and help shape the future of Michigan’s life sciences industry.

TAKE THE SURVEY

Xcellon Biologics Expands End-to-End CRDMO with GMP Facility Acquisition; Announces New CEO

Xcellon Biologics has signed an agreement to acquire a 40,000-square-foot GMP biologics manufacturing facility from NextCure, expanding its capabilities as an end-to-end CRDMO for next-generation bioconjugates and complex biologics.

Xcellon also announced co-founder Abhishake Chhibber as CEO to lead its next phase of growth.

>> LEARN MORE

Elba Laboratories Partners with Detroit Cristo Rey High School

Elba Laboratories is partnering with Detroit Cristo Rey High School through its Corporate Work Study Program, providing students with meaningful, hands-on professional experience. Through the partnership, students will have opportunities to connect classroom learning with future career paths while building technical and interpersonal skills in a professional environment.

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Sterile State Appoints Peltier to Lead Validation, Quality and Regulatory Strategy

Sterile State has appointed sterilization industry veteran Jeffrey Peltier as Vice President of Validation and Sterility Assurance. Peltier brings more than 30 years of experience from Cardinal Health, Medtronic, Covidien and Boston Scientific. In his new role, he will lead validation programs and work directly with medical device manufacturers evaluating Sterile State’s nitric oxide-based SterileState•78 technology, helping build the scientific, quality and regulatory pathways needed to support its adoption.

Culturewell and Perimeter Launch Joint Offering for Life Sciences Organizations

Culturewell has partnered with Perimeter to launch a joint offering designed to help life sciences organizations strengthen both organizational culture and operational performance. The collaboration brings together Culturewell’s expertise in building healthy, high-performing workplace cultures with Perimeter’s strategic and operational capabilities, providing life sciences leaders with integrated support as their organizations grow and evolve.

>> LEARN MORE

BioMEMS Diagnostics Appoints Heidi Coia, PhD, as VP of Product Development

MichBio member BioMEMS Diagnostics has appointed Heidi Coia, PhD, as Vice President of Product Development. In her new role, Coia will help advance the company’s diagnostic technology and guide product development efforts as BioMEMS continues to move its innovations toward commercialization.

>> LEARN MORE

TrialAssure Selected to Support EMA Clinical Data Anonymization

TrialAssure has been selected to provide anonymization services supporting the European Medicines Agency’s clinical data publication activities. The selection recognizes TrialAssure’s expertise in clinical trial transparency and data privacy, with the company helping ensure sensitive patient and confidential information is appropriately protected as clinical documents are prepared for public disclosure.

>> LEARN MORE

Grace Celebrates 50 Years in South Haven

Grace is celebrating 50 years of operations in South Haven, Michigan. For five decades, the South Haven team has supported pharmaceutical development and manufacturing while building a lasting presence in the community. The milestone recognizes the employees, expertise, and continued investment that have helped shape the site’s legacy and its role in Michigan’s life sciences industry.

>> LEARN MORE

BioMarin Pharmaceuticals to Acquire Alesta Therapeutics

BioMarin Pharmaceutical has announced plans to acquire Alesta Therapeutics, expanding its pipeline of therapies for rare diseases. The acquisition will add Alesta’s clinical-stage programs to BioMarin’s portfolio, building on the company’s strategy of advancing innovative medicines for patients with significant unmet needs.

>> LEARN MORE

SitSense Named to TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 200

SitSense has been selected for TechCrunch’s 2026 Startup Battlefield 200, a handpicked group of 200 promising early-stage startups chosen from thousands of applicants worldwide. SitSense was recognized in the biotech and pharmaceuticals category and will have the opportunity to showcase its technology at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 in San Francisco this October. The prestigious program provides selected startups with global exposure and access to investors, industry leaders and potential partners.

>> LEARN MORE

UM Sets Record for Startup Creation

University of Michigan Innovation Partnerships is helping turn more university research into new companies than ever before. U-M launched a record 40 startups in fiscal year 2026—an average of one new company every nine days and, based on publicly available data, the highest annual total reported by a U.S. university. The milestone reflects Innovation Partnerships’ continued efforts to move research discoveries toward commercialization through funding, mentorship, licensing and startup support.

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Signal Bioscience Named a PitchMI 2026 Semifinalist

Congratulations to MichBio member Signal Bioscience on being named one of the Top 20 semifinalists in the 2026 PitchMI competition! Signal Bioscience was selected among five companies competing in the Healthcare & Life Sciences category. The statewide competition showcases promising Michigan startups across four industry categories, with semifinal events taking place throughout the state in September.

>> LEARN MORE

FEDERAL UPDATE

GLOBE and GUARD Could Reshape Biotech Out-Licensing

Two federal proposals are bringing new scrutiny to biotechnology licensing deals involving certain foreign entities. Learn how GLOBE and GUARD could affect out-licensing strategies, cross-border partnerships, and the way biotech companies approach intellectual property and global collaboration.

FDA-SEC Agreement Puts Biotech Investor Disclosures in the Spotlight

A new agreement between the FDA and SEC could increase scrutiny of how life sciences companies communicate regulatory developments to investors. Learn why biotech companies may need to take an even closer look at disclosure practices surrounding FDA interactions and other market-moving information.

FEDERAL UPDATE

Congress Delays OMB Grant Overhaul

Congress has approved a delay to proposed changes affecting the administration of federal research grants, providing temporary relief for universities and research institutions. Learn what the delay means, why the proposed overhaul has raised concerns, and what research stakeholders will be watching next.

FEDERAL UPDATE

MFN Drug Pricing Deals Expand Beyond Big Pharma

Most-favored-nation drug pricing agreements are beginning to reach beyond the industry’s largest pharmaceutical companies, creating new considerations for emerging biotechs. Explore what this evolving pricing environment could mean for startups, investors, partnerships, and future commercialization strategies.

FEDERAL UPDATE

PDUFA VIII Takes Shape

Negotiations over the next Prescription Drug User Fee Act are laying the groundwork for changes aimed at making FDA review processes more efficient and predictable. See what PDUFA VIII could mean for drug developers and the regulatory environment that will shape the next generation of therapies.

Veradyn Medical Brings New Insight to Food Allergy Diagnosis

Veradyn Medical, a University of Michigan spinout, is developing a wearable monitoring system designed to give allergists earlier, objective insight during oral food challenges, the gold standard for confirming or ruling out a food allergy.

For many patients, getting a definitive food allergy diagnosis is difficult. Skin and blood tests have important limitations, while oral food challenges require significant time, clinical resources, and a willingness to risk a reaction. Veradyn’s mission is to reduce these barriers and help more patients reach an accurate diagnosis.

The technology builds on University of Michigan research showing that changes in transepidermal water loss can occur before clinically evident anaphylaxis. Veradyn is translating that research into a practical wearable monitoring platform, beginning with oral food challenges and with potential applications across allergy care.

This September, Veradyn will showcase its technology at UM Celebrate Invention and the MichBio Michigan Medical Device Summit^™ Medtech Spotlight.

MSU Research Foundation is seeking a Venture Associate – Healthcare or Life Sciences to support the growth and commercialization of promising technologies and startups.

>> VIEW JOB

NorthernBio is seeking a Staff Veterinarian to join its team and support high-quality animal care and research programs.

>> VIEW JOB

Fast Forward Medical Innovation (FFMI) at the University of Michigan Medical School Office of Research is seeking a Managing Director to join its team.

>> VIEW JOB

Have a position to fill?

MichBio is making it easier for life sciences employers to connect with talent across Michigan through the BioConnections^® Job Board.

Job postings now include a 30-day listing on the BioConnections^® Job Board, inclusion in BioLink, and promotion on MichBio’s LinkedIn page—giving open positions greater visibility across MichBio’s network.

>> LEARN MORE

CONTRACT OPPORTUNITY

Writer/Literature Researcher – Alzheimer’s & Cognitive Decline Biomarkers

BioMEMS Diagnostics is seeking a researcher/writer for a short-term contract project supporting the development of a scientific paper for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. The selected candidate will complete an ongoing literature review of biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease and related cognitive decline in humans and canines, working closely with scientists from a Colgate-Palmolive subsidiary.

Candidates should have a PhD or MS-level background in neuroscience, neurology, neuropsychology or a related field and be available to begin immediately. Follow-on project opportunities may be available.

Interested? Contact Heidi Coia at hcoia@biomemsdiagnostics.com for more information.

What Should Life Science Companies Be Thinking About Next?

Find out during BIO Savings Week: Discover What’s Next, September 16–17.

Our preferred providers will have 10 minutes each to share what they’re seeing across the life sciences, what’s changing, new products and service capabilities, and how members can benefit.

September 16 | Build & Operate

Lab and equipment procurement, facilities, shipping and logistics, waste management, office operations, and more.

September 17 | Scale & Optimize

HR, finance, software, compliance, and other services supporting growing life science companies.

Attend one day or both and discover the savings and value-added benefits available to our members through BIO Business Solutions®.

Intent^® Health Economics/MedTech Reimbursement Seminar with Q&A

Looking to get the September 2026 inside scoop on Health Economics and MedTech coding, coverage & reimbursement? Join us September 16, 2026, from 2:30–3:30 PM EDT for this free, live online seminar presented by Intent Venture Management.

Want to learn how to avoid common pitfalls when gathering clinical evidence and how to garner payor support? Looking for funding and road-mapping strategies to plan for integrated product development & commercial-stage reimbursement work in advance? This online seminar breaks down a few essentials in a simple, friendly way. Plus, stick around for the engaging community Q&A session to get your top questions answered live.

Perfect for medical device, diagnostic, pharma, investment and innovation professionals. Grab your spot and join us from wherever you are!

Submit Q&A questions live OR in advance to: Lindsay Klee or at intentventuremanagement.com.

Michigan Medical Device Summit^™ Registrants Receive $25 Admission to The Business of Life Sciences

Make the most of your time in Ann Arbor! Michigan Medical Device Summit^™ registrants can attend The Business of Life Sciences, presented by a2Tech260, on Tuesday, September 29, from 5:00–8:00 PM at the Kensington Hotel for a special $25 registration rate.

Held the evening before the MichBio’s Michigan Medical Device Summit^™, The Business of Life Sciences brings together leaders from across Michigan’s life sciences ecosystem for networking, collaboration, and conversation.

Discount details will be provided in your Michigan Medical Device Summit^™ registration confirmation.

Accelerate Blue Foundry Seeks Entrepreneurs for Third Cohort

Calling all entrepreneurs! University of Michigan Innovation Partnerships recently announced the launch of the third cohort of the Accelerate Blue Foundry.

The A-B Foundry matches entrepreneurs with world-class technologies developed at the University of Michigan. If matched with a technology, entrepreneurs will partner with U-M inventors over five months to develop a business case and pitch for a new startup. The A-B Foundry will provide educational programming, mentorship, networking opportunities, and pitch practice to help entrepreneurs prepare.

The Accelerate Blue Fund has committed to invest at least $50,000 in each credible startup coming out of the Foundry.

Interested? Click here to learn more about the program. The application deadline is, Sun., Sept. 27, 2026.

Below are upcoming industry events. Click here to view all events.

MichBio members receive an additional discount on Partner Events.
Deadline dates do apply and are listed on the discount page.
Log in to your membership account to access discount codes/directions.

PARTNER EVENT

A2 BioSocial September Kickoff

September 8, 2026

Ann Arbor, MI

PARTNER EVENT

Bio Innovation North America

September 9-10, 2026

Omaha, NE

MB SIGNATURE EVENT

Midwest Council of State Bioscience Association Directors Meeting

Sept. 14-17, 2026

Mackinac Island, MI