MassBio

Biotech is undoubtedly having a moment right now, and not a good one. What started as a market correction has only been exacerbated by macroeconomic uncertainty and Washington chaos. Enter this article in the Boston Globe (https://lnkd.in/e_vZf528). I’m not one for channeling negative energy, but I do want to concentrate on a quote that the author used to wrap up the piece. The source of the quote says that global pharmaceutical companies have no stake in whether Kendall Square remains the global leader in drug innovation. I have to disagree. They are invested in this ecosystem in major ways. It’s not just that 18 of the world’s top 20 pharma companies are here, it’s that they are expanding their presence. All you have to do is search the Globe archives to read about the billions spent on infrastructure and the thousands hired to be a part of the greater Boston cluster. Just this week Jon Chesto wrote about AstraZeneca’s commitment to the region (https://lnkd.in/emwT6AtP). We gave awards to Lilly and BMS for their respective expansions. GSK is moving teams here from Maryland. Novo Nordisk, Bayer, Takeda, Novartis … the list goes on and on. And they all point to what Massachusetts brings to the table for them as #patientdriven companies. The pharma companies came here because we have the biotechs and the talent. They are after that external innovation. And while we don’t have a monopoly on biomedical innovation, we have the density, people, and players like nowhere else. Pharma contributes to it. They aren’t here to suck the life out of it and leave. They’ve come here to be woven into the very fabric of the community and to be a partner. And it is patients with unmet medical needs that ultimately benefit. There are very real threats to domestic biotech innovation, including the threat from China. Haphazard funding and staffing decisions at the federal level aren’t helping. The Massachusetts ecosystem faces competitiveness challenges, from the cost of living to transportation, but we have state leaders who have stepped up in big ways. Are there funding and hiring headwinds? Yes, but companies are raising money and people are getting jobs. We know that this is the place because we know how it was built and we see it up close and personal every single day. Are we willing to fight for it? Absolutely.

Accent Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering novel, targeted, small molecule cancer therapeutics. Leveraging expertise in RNA-modifying proteins (RMPs) and the systemic mapping of both the RMP space and adjacent high-value areas for drug discovery, Accent employs a flexible model that allows for a diversity of approaches to developing potentially transformative biomarker-driven cancer medicines. Accent is advancing innovative treatments designed for both novel and known, but suboptimally-addressed, high-impact oncology targets offering the potential to benefit large patient populations with significant unmet need. The company’s clinical-stage assets include ATX-559, a first-in-class DHX9 inhibitor, and ATX-295, a potentially best-in-class KIF18A inhibitor, both of which are currently being evaluated in Phase 1/2 clinical trials. MassBio Member Spotlight: Accent Therapeutics, Inc. Location: Lexington, MA Website: accenttx.com Leadership:  Shakti Narayan, PhD, JD | Chief Executive Officer Serena Silver, PhD | Chief Scientific Officer Jason Sager, MD | Chief Medical Officer David Brower, MBA | Chief Business Officer and Head of Finance Therapeutic Area: Oncology https://lnkd.in/e55Hg4iA | #PatientDriven #MassBioMember #MassBioMembers

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐨 𝐚𝐭 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐒𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐞: Elias Zerhouni and Andy Plump discuss the future of multispecific biologics. Full video: https://lnkd.in/gDHhVTGn Interviewed by Andy Plump, President of R&D at Takeda, Dr. Zerhouni discusses the rationale for multispecifics and the science behind them - his company ModeX Therapeutics Inc (an OPKO Health, Inc. company) currently has a tetraspecific program in the clinic. They also discuss the differences between pharma and biotech, keys to being an effective R&D leader, and advice for both young and experienced people in their careers. Episodes from the Studio at Kendall Square are brought to you by MassBio. BiotechTV is brought to you by: Mispro | Breakthrough Properties | HSBC Innovation Banking | Allucent | NYSE | Klein Hersh | Savills

You may have seen the photo from the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference this year: Hundreds of female biotech CEOs gathered in Union Square, all dressed in pink. It was a moment that represented leadership, solidarity, and visibility, as well as a reminder for how far biotech has come when it comes to gender parity in an industry that has long been dominated by men. Though there is still so much more to be done, from boardrooms to grassroots movements, women continue to shape the future of biotech. Read more in Sarah Sutton, PhD's guest contributor blog, "Reflections from the Biotech Sisterhood," on how these women are moving forward together: https://lnkd.in/efVwS9bC

Thank you again to MassBio for the incredible opportunity to have our own Nancy Frates speak at The State of Possible Conference. It was an honor to share Pete's story and highlight the mission of The Peter Frates Family Foundation—to support ALS patients and families, support research, and drive a lasting impact. We believe in the power of community, and we're proud to stand alongside so many who are pushing boundaries in science and care. Sabrina Paganoni Kendalle Burlin O'Connell, Esq. #ForPete #ForPALS #PF3 #PeterFratesFamilyFoundation #StrikeOutALS #ALS #PeteFrates #CareCureEducateImpact

Thank you to our #MassBioMembers who joined us at the Hub over the last couple of weeks! MMS hosted an expert panel discussion on innovative trial design and regulatory strategies. Blueprint Medicines held a global HR team meeting. Alloy Therapeutics, Inc. provided updates on the latest innovations and developments in biologics drug discovery at Alloy. Fulcrum Therapeutics hosted a company meeting and team building. Learn more about having your next event with us: https://lnkd.in/eBPqB8Ej #HubHappenings

According to Lynnea Olivarez, a senior corporate affairs strategist and the founder of Ticket to Biotech, there was a common theme threaded through every conversation at this year’s MassBio State of Possible Conference: "Communications is the essential bridge between scientific advancement and human impact." Read more in our latest guest contributor blog, "What are we really doing here?" https://lnkd.in/eduyYcQM. #stateofpossible25

Now here's some chicken soup for the soul on this #FundingFriday: Massachusetts #lifesciences companies announced nearly $600M in venture capital raises over the last two weeks! Leading the pack were Cognito Therapeutics, Inc., AIRNA, Merida Biosciences, and Imbria Pharmaceuticals. AIRNA scored  $155 million in Series B investment financing. “At Airna, one of our core values is resilience," CEO Kris Elverum told the BBJ's Hannah Green (https://lnkd.in/e-TrEdf2). We embrace change, and we're really focused on building a sustainable company for the long term.” Meanwhile, Cambridge-based Merida emerged with $121 million in Series A funding on Tuesday. The biotech will enter the clinic this year with an experimental medicine for the autoimmune thyroid condition known as Graves’ disease, and quickly follow that with programs in food allergy and primary membranous nephropathy, an autoimmune kidney disease, according to Kyle LaHucik, senior reporter at Endpoints News (https://lnkd.in/dbadXnvf). And Boston's Imbria, a clinical stage biotechnology company developing novel therapies for cardiometabolic diseases with high unmet need, just yesterday announced the successful closing of a $57.5 million Series B financing. (https://lnkd.in/eCbBX9jX) #PatientDriven #MassBioMembers

Thank you to everyone who joined MassBio and The Termeer Foundation on Tuesday evening for our latest CEO & Founder Link event, focused on navigating the ever-evolving world of fundraising in 2025. It was a dynamic evening of honest insights and inspiring stories from VCs and fellow CEOs who’ve been in the trenches. The fundraising landscape may be tough, but this group brought both wisdom and encouragement. Top Takeaways from the Event: 💡 Adaptability is everything. Stay nimble—what works today may not tomorrow. 🤝 Connections matter. Be open—you never know where a conversation might lead. 🎯 Purpose fuels progress. Passion is great, but purpose and a polished pitch will take you further. 🌐 Build your support network. Surround yourself with people (and organizations like The Termeer Foundation and MassBio) who champion your journey. 🧠 Prioritize your well-being. This is a 15-hour-a-day, 7-days-a-week, 365-days-a-year path—take care of you! Special thanks to our incredible speakers and Generation Bio, and Geoffrey McDonough, for helping make the night possible! Featured Speakers: Thomas de Vlaam, Partner, Pillar VC Maurizio Fazio, Principal, Atlas Venture Chaya Patel, Principal, Mission BioCapital Alvaro Amorrortu, CEO, Mediphage Bioceuticals Floris Engelhardt, Co-Founder & CEO, Kano Therapeutics Alicia Secor, President & CEO, Atalanta Therapeutics Shana W. Wang, Co-Founder & CEO, PathCision Medicine 📸 Check out photos from the event: https://lnkd.in/eVDszx4V About the CEO & Founder Link: MassBio and The Termeer Foundation launched the CEO & Founder Link to provide life sciences leaders with a collaborative peer community, valuable educational content, and curated networking opportunities. Our next event is happening during the BIO International Convention—don’t miss it! Apply to join: https://lnkd.in/eEujUbij #ceofounderlink

📢 #MassBioMembers: Did you miss our State of Possible Conference last month? Gain exclusive access to the conference sessions on our video platform, MB Vision. From panel discussion on the Biotech CEO Sisterhood and Expanding Techbio in Massachusetts to Remarks from Governor Maura Healey to patient stories and a Fireside Chat with David Ortiz - there is so much to see. To access the content, navigate to the login and then the "Members Only" channel: https://lnkd.in/ec7cCrt8 #StateofPossible25 #MBVision #PatientDriven