History of Ash Stevens Inc.

As Wayne State University grew into the 1950s, many notable researchers, obtained degrees from the university. In this era Dr. Jack Fishman, obtained his Ph.D. from Wayne State in 1955, and went on to create Narcan in 1961. Into the 1960s Wayne State, created its first corporate spin off in 1962. The need for a new more advanced building was needed for more complex research projects, and the jump from university research to purpose built research. In charge of the spin off was Dr. Arthur B. Ash and Dr. Calvin L. Stevens. Ash had became the first recipient of a Ph.D. from Wayne State University's chemistry department, while Stevens had been a professor at Wayne State, together they formed the company that is known as Ash Stevens Inc. today. For the first 29 years of the company the facility served as highly specialized lab dedicated to small scale, highly complex synthesis, and contract government research. Working on anti malarials for the World Health Organization, and potential drug candidates for the National Cancer Institute. During the Vietnam War the U.S. Army contracted Ash Stevens to develop a high-yield synthesis for 2pyridine aldoximes. These compounds are critical precursors in the creation of antidotes, used to treat organophosphorus poisoning, which can result from exposure to weaponized nerve agents like sarin and VX, as well as agricultural pesticides. After Vietnam ended the company largely continued its cancer research for the National Cancer Institute. Into late 80s, a profound strategic pivot for Ash Stevens was in the horizon, decades of synthesizing potential drug candidates for the National Cancer Institute eventually yielded molecules that advanced through clinical trials and required commercial scale manufacturing. The company realized that its survival and growth depended on transitioning from a purely research focused entity into a commercial Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization. In 1988 the company opened its 30,000 sf facility in Riverview MI, while the Detroit location took a backseat to day to day operations. The company used the Detroit location on a shrinking basis up into 2023 when it was closed for good, it was sold in 2025 to a new owner which has not done anything with the building.