Rare among biotech hubs, MBI is both a premier multidisciplinary center sought out by industry partners for unique derisking capabilities and a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit inspired by a mission to enhance quality of life by collaboratively accelerating the commercialization of sustainable biobased technologies.
MBI is known in the industrial biotechnology field for pioneering derisking, a process that quickly and cost-effectively weeds out flawed approaches, while accelerating viable ones through a milestone-based, stage-gated innovation process. MBI combines a full spectrum of science, engineering, operational and business expertise with an integrated and flexible infrastructure, taking your technology from the lab to bench and pilot scales.
MBI's team applies its derisking approach to the development of biobased fuels and chemicals, food, and feed—all from renewable sources. We engage with universities, corporations, and research institutions—and our long list of collaborators includes: Bolt Threads, Verdezyne, DuPont, Genomatica, Novozymes, NatureWorks, and the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center. Technologies developed at MBI are recognized and trusted worldwide. Take an example: Together with Michigan State University and Cargill, MBI developed PLA, the polymer used worldwide to make renewable and biodegradable containers and cutlery.
Lansing, Michigan-based MBI is affiliated with MSU and is a wholly owned subsidiary of the MSU Foundation.