Massachusetts Life Sciences Center

Today, the Healey-Driscoll administration announced that Dr. Kirk Taylor will serve as the Massachusetts Life Science Center’s (MLSC) new President and CEO. Taylor is a trained neurologist who brings more than 25 years of industry experience, including medical affairs and clinical development strategy, entrepreneurial vision, and strategic leadership, to the role.  The MLSC Board of Directors voted to confirm Taylor’s role today, and he will begin on October 8. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e3hi9sfk

Our partners at MassBio unveiled their five-year strategic plan, Vision 2030, a framework outlining a series of ambitious goals to further Massachusetts’ status as the world’s premier life sciences hub. The plan lays out a path to add up to $1 billion to the state’s GDP by the start of 2030, and to create hundreds more biopharma and life sciences jobs, among other initiatives. Read more: https://ow.ly/WqeA50TBPZo

In September 2023, Massachusetts secured the federal Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) Investor Catalyst Hub. Since the launch of the Hub, numerous Massachusetts-based companies and institutions have secured upwards of more than $300 million from ARPA-H, including more than $70 million just in the past two weeks. The Hub’s base of operations being in Massachusetts is no accident. The state’s selection to host the Investor Catalyst Hub demonstrates the federal government’s recognition of Massachusetts as a leading model for health care delivery and life sciences innovation. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/g7asURUB

New application rounds of MLSC programming for Research Infrastructure, Bits to Bytes, Novel Therapeutics Delivery, and our Women’s Health Initiative, are now underway. The MLSC is adding an additional layer of equity to these returning programs during the application process, asking applicants to not only consider gender diversity, but other overlooked factors such as race, geography, and other social determinants of health. The Center is also launching a new Health Equity program to provide smaller grants in areas around health equity. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eFQ4KmnG

Join us Oct. 28-29 at the 14th Annual PODD: Partnership Opportunities in Drug Delivery conference. #PODD2024 combines cutting-edge business and scientific content in the field of drug delivery along with a wide range of networking opportunities. 700+ Pharma, biotech and drug delivery industry attendees gather annually at PODD to assess delivery needs, latest trends and to learn about a wide range of innovative drug delivery technologies. Learn more: https://ow.ly/y13g50T6xYA

Today, during her remarks at #WMIF2024 Governor Maura Healey announced $19.8 million in funding to support 15 projects driving life sciences innovation in Massachusetts. These investments will provide critical, state-of-the-art research equipment to colleges, research institutions, and hospitals and drive innovation in research and development, data science, drug delivery, and women’s health. The Governor also announced new application rounds of MLSC programming for Research Infrastructure, Bits to Bytes, Novel Therapeutics Delivery, and the Women’s Health Initiative. The MLSC is adding an additional layer of equity to these returning programs and also launching a new Health Equity program to provide smaller grants in areas around equity, such as clinical trial recruitment, studying conditions which affect underrepresented populations, and ensuring datasets have representation from diverse groups. The MLSC and its partners are excited by the prospects of these new funding program rounds which have the potential to drive further opportunities for collaboration around innovation and new areas such as health equity. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e3nQm-PF

Kudos to our partners at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard on its expansion to Burlington, MA. It was a great day for our ecosystem to celebrate their new home for their Genomics Platform and Broad Clinical Labs. According to the Broad, this highly-advanced facility in Burlington will significantly enhance their sequencing capabilities and capacity, enabling them to deepen their contributions to advancing science and improving human health. 📸 Credit: Anthem Multimedia

Kudos to our partners at Cellino who will lead the latest ARPA-H project with up to $25 million in research funding over five years. The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) announced the funding of the NExt-generation Biomanufacturing ULtra-scalable Approach (NEBULA) project. NEBULA seeks to develop a more affordable and accessible method to manufacture personalized cell therapies using an individual’s own cells for the treatment of chronic or degenerative diseases, such as heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, or diabetes. The funding will help drive Cellino's development of its advanced biomanufacturing technology for personalized regenerative medicine. 🔗 https://ow.ly/FYes50TohY4

On Stand Up to Cancer Day, the MLSC celebrates the advancements that have been made in cancer research, driven by the researchers, patients, advocates, oncologists, and industry leaders who are contributing to the fight against cancer. Since 2018 alone, the MLSC has invested nearly $36 million to support cancer research. Massachusetts is home to world-class institutions, research facilities, and a life sciences ecosystem like no other.

Join us Oct. 28-29 at the 14th Annual PODD: Partnership Opportunities in Drug Delivery conference. #PODD2024 combines cutting-edge business and scientific content in the field of drug delivery along with a wide range of networking opportunities. 700+ Pharma, biotech and drug delivery industry attendees gather annually at PODD to assess delivery needs, latest trends and to learn about a wide range of innovative drug delivery technologies. Learn more: https://ow.ly/y13g50T6xYA