Many young companies don't survive the death of a co-founder, but SensiGen in Ann Arbor is doing just the opposite of that conventional wisdom.

The University of Michigan spin-off has grown to seven employees and four contractors from the original two founders in the last four years. There are three job openings right now. Those new workers include two ex-Pfizer employees and the firm expects to hire more as soon as it closes its latest round of capital fundraising.

"We're very likely to hire more when we secure financing," says Jay Stoerker, vice president of product development for SensiGen.

This is after U-M Prof. in Pediatrics David Kurnit died in January, leaving his wife and co-founder Kris Kurnit behind to steer the molecular diagnostics company. The firm specializes in developing a test for the human papilloma virus. SensiGen is also developing a test for chronic kidney disease.

Source: Jay Stoerker, vice president of product development for SensiGen
Writer: Jon Zemke