Massachusetts Life Sciences Center

Kudos to our partners at Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc. who announced a new project funded through the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) totaling up to $29 million to establish a new manufacturing process for essential medicines using wheat germ cell-free expression systems. According to the company, utilizing wheat germ, an abundant and renewable resource, could create a new paradigm for domestic manufacturing, stabilizing and reshoring supply chains for essential pharmaceuticals. The Commonwealth is home to ARPA-H’s Investor Catalyst Hub. Massachusetts-based companies and institutions have been awarded approximately more than $400 million through ARPA-H. Read more from Ginkgo, whose growth the MLSC has been proud to support through its internship and Tax Incentive programming: https://lnkd.in/e862emAi

The MLSC is committed to a life sciences ecosystem that is diverse, inclusive, and equitable for all members of this industry. Learn more about the latest round of our #MassNextGen Initiative. 🔗 https://ow.ly/wa7450VxNr6

The MLSC is in the early stages of evaluating a Biobank initiative that seeks to break barriers by establishing disease-specific, accessible biobanks sourced from diverse patient populations across Massachusetts. Currently, we are gathering insights from startups and translational researchers to determine the first-year disease focus. Learn more: https://ow.ly/hape50VwZ0T

Hear from the Heart of the Hub. Join an audience of 4,000+ who are subscribed to The Beat, the MLSC’s weekly newsletter. Sign up for The Beat today: https://ow.ly/Bl6x50VuNH2

DoriNano, Gelectric Medical, General Prognostics (GPx), and Barlume Cosmetics are the latest awardees to join the MassNextGen portfolio. Awardees from the MassNextGen Initiative receive a year-long customized package of support, which includes non-dilutive grant funding, lab bench at a sponsoring incubator, and access to a network of seasoned professionals from the life sciences ecosystem helping them to refine their business strategies and effectively raise capital. Learn more about the 35 companies supported through the public-private partnership: https://lnkd.in/eHxXn7nA Learn more about the latest round of MassNextGen: https://lnkd.in/eRrzK8X

The MLSC is actively evaluating the development of a Biobank program intended to accelerate patient-centric research. We are seeking input for initial disease area focus. Learn more. ⤵️

An incredible week for our ecosystem as Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey had a number of opportunities to champion the Commonwealth’s global leadership in the life sciences. On Tuesday, Governor Healey was joined by Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao, MLSC President and CEO Kirk Taylor, MD, and leaders from Mass General Brigham for a visit to Cellino. The company is partnering with Mass General Brigham to build the world’s first autonomous iPSC foundry at Massachusetts General Hospital. Later in the week, the Governor offered remarks at MassBio’s State of Possible underscoring the Healey Administration’s commitment to be “all-in” on seeing the life sciences sector grow. Last November, Governor Healey signed into law the Mass Leads Act, an economic development bill building on the success of the state’s renowned life sciences sector. Read more why Massachusetts is the global epicenter of the life sciences industry. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eiKvNkcq

The MLSC is committed to a life sciences ecosystem that is diverse, inclusive, and equitable for all members of this industry. The next round of the #MassNextGen Initiative is currently underway. Awardees of the program will receive a year-long customized package of support, which includes non-dilutive grant funding, lab bench at a sponsoring incubator, and access to a network of seasoned professionals from the life sciences ecosystem helping them to refine their business strategies and effectively raise capital. In addition, awardees will highlight their company to sponsors, awardees, and representatives of venture capital firms at the end of the program year in a “showcase” event to promote relationship building. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eRrzK8X

We are incredibly excited to announce the newest members of the MLSC's Board of Directors. The appointments to the Board, co-chaired by Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao and Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew Gorzkowicz, come during a critical time for the life sciences ecosystem. New members include: Chris Coburn, Chief Innovation Officer, Mass General Brigham Valerie Fleishman, Executive Vice President & Chief Innovation Officer, Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association Brian Johnson, President, MassMEDIC Dana Mendenhall, SVP and Global Head of Commercial and Portfolio Strategy for the Plasma Derived Therapies Business Unit, Takeda Read more: https://lnkd.in/ejmGEu_f

Thank you to President Pam Eddinger and her team at Bunker Hill CC for hosting MLSC President and CEO Kirk Taylor, MD and the MLSC team for a wide-ranging visit with faculty and students and tour of the Charlestown campus. The MLSC looks forward to building upon existing collaborations in education and workforce development with the college. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eu4cx-vy