University of Michigan statement:

“This is great news for the Great Lakes region, the state of Michigan and the University of Michigan,” said Stephen Forrest, U-M vice president for research.

“University research is at the core of our nation’s competitiveness. This satellite office will make it easier for our researchers to protect their discoveries and more quickly bring them to the marketplace.”

U-M recently was named as one of the top 14 universities worldwide for patent success. The university is awarded an average of 80 patents per year.

U-M has a rich tradition of invention and innovation and has long played a leading role in converting ideas into new products to help expand the economy and create jobs. The university’s major initiatives can be found on the Innovate! website (http://innovate.umich.edu/).

Background:

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on Wednesday announced that it has leased space in downtown Detroit for a satellite office of the USPTO. The office is expected to open no later than July.

The facility, to be located at 300 River Place Drive, will be called the Elijah J. McCoy United States Patent and Trademark Office. The Detroit office is expected to create more than 100 jobs in its first year of operation.

The U.S. General Services Administration’s (GSA) Great Lakes Region has signed a five-year lease for a 31,000-square-foot suite in a building that is listed on the National Historic Registry. It was the former home to Parke-Davis Laboratories as well as the headquarters for Stroh’s Brewery.