MichBio's Strategic Engagement at the 2025 Mackinac Policy Conference Yields Key Opportunities
MichBio was proud to once again participate in the annual Mackinac Policy Conference—an influential gathering of business, legislative, and community leaders focused on shaping the state’s economic and policy future. This year, the organization’s presence was impactful based on the many direct engagements with state and federal legislators, policymakers, and VIP leaders to advocate for critical issues affecting the life sciences ecosystem in Michigan.
The conference served as a powerful platform for MichBio to advance three major policy priorities: securing robust funding for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s (MEDC) Innovation and Entrepreneurship budget line, opposing state level changes to the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program that would be deleterious to the pharmaceutical manufacturers, and promoting a vital state appropriation request to grow Michigan’s life sciences workforce.
Advocating for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
One of the cornerstones of MichBio’s agenda at the conference was urging support for full funding of the MEDC’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship (I&E) line item in the Department of Labor & Economic Opportunity budget. In the budget passed by the Senate, that I&E funding was eliminated entirely. However, the funding is a crucial source of capital for high-tech startup development, technology commercialization, and early-stage investment support—areas in which the life sciences sector is a leading driver – and metrics over a decade or more prove a strong ROI on the tax dollars spent, and if anything, justify an increase rather than complete elimination.
Through targeted meetings and conversations with policymakers, MichBio made the case that consistent and strategic investment through this budget line not only catalyzes company formation and retains early-stage biopharma and medtech companies but also fuels job creation, strengthens Michigan’s competitiveness against other states, and amplifies the return on the state’s broader economic development initiatives.
Protecting the Integrity of the 340B Program
MichBio also used the Mackinac gathering as a forum to express concern over proposed state reforms to the 340B Drug Pricing Program, which would significantly hamper pharmaceutical manufacturers’ ability to contend with hospital systems that abuse the program and redirect revenues away from underserved populations as mandated by federal law. The association emphasized that current reform proposals risk undermining patient access to lifesaving therapies, distorting the drug supply chain, and discouraging biomedical innovation.
Conversations with legislators provided an opportunity to clarify misconceptions about the program’s role and how the biopharmaceutical sector is already navigating a highly regulated pricing landscape.
Advancing Life Sciences Workforce Development
Another key pillar of MichBio’s strategy during the conference was securing support for an appropriations request aimed at expanding life sciences workforce development programs. As demand grows for skilled technicians, researchers, and biomanufacturing professionals, Michigan must strengthen its pipeline of industry-ready talent.
MichBio presented a compelling case for the state to invest in partnerships with community colleges, universities, and industry to design curricula, apprenticeships, and training pathways tailored to the needs of bioscience employers. Discussions with state officials underscored the urgency of this investment, Michigan’s competitive disadvantage in lacking such resources, especially as the sector prepares for new waves of biomanufacturing of cell and gene therapies.
Strengthening Industry-Policy Partnerships
Beyond these specific priorities, the Mackinac Policy Conference gave MichBio an unparalleled opportunity to build relationships with legislators, their staff, and cross-sector leaders and reinforce the vital role of the life sciences industry in Michigan’s economy and public health infrastructure. By positioning life sciences as a foundational element of the state’s future prosperity, MichBio helped shape a policy dialogue that recognizes the importance of scientific innovation, equitable healthcare access, and economic diversification.
Looking Ahead
As MichBio returns from Mackinac, the organization is energized to continue its advocacy and policy work with renewed momentum. The meaningful conversations and strategic connections made at the conference will support its ongoing mission to strengthen Michigan’s biosciences landscape, ensure smart policy decisions, and keep the state at the forefront of life-changing scientific discovery and commercialization.
In a year where biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, and diagnostics companies face both extraordinary opportunities and complex policy challenges, MichBio’s presence at the Mackinac Policy Conference affirmed that collaboration between industry and government is more critical than ever.
