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See Dr. Windham-Bannister's recent interview on New England Cable News Business Day

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See Dr. Windham-Bannister's recent interview on Greater Boston (scroll to March 9 episode)

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See MLSC VP for Communications Angus McQuilken's recent interview regarding NIH grant funding on New England Cable News Business Day

 

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Center submits comments regarding NIH Draft Guidelines on Stem Cell Research

Click here to read the letter

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First Round of Accelerator Loans Approved

The Center's Board of Directors has approved the first round of loans to early-stage companies via the Accelerator program.
Read the press release here >>

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Massachusetts Biotechnology Council Releases Bioready Campaign Community Ratings

Read the announcement

Learn more about the MBC BioReady Communities Campaign

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New Medical Devices Journal
Launches with Feature on MLSC

An interview with MLSC President & CEO Dr. Susan Windham-Bannister is featured in the inaugural edition of the Massachusetts Medical Devices Journal. The Massachusetts Medical Devices Journal is a new online publication covering the medical devices industry in the Commonwealth and New England. Click here to read the interview >>

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The Life Sciences Center has moved!

 

To find our new address in Waltham, our new phone number, or directions, click here.

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MLSC President & CEO Susan Windham-Bannister, State Senator Karen Spilka, Senate Chairwoman of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, and State Representative Carolyn Dykema on a recent company visit to Caliper Life Sciences in Hopkinton.

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Massachusetts Recovery and Reinvestment Plan

Learn more about Governor Deval Patrick's plans for investing federal stimulus funds to strengthen our infrastructure and our innovation economy in the Commonwealth.
Visit the Massachusetts Recovery and Reinvestment Plan web site. You can also access the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act web site here.

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MLSC Board Approves Grant for Tufts' New England Regional Biosafety Laboratory

On March 25, 2009 the MLSC Board of Directors approved a $9.5 million grant to support completion of the New England Regional Biosafety Laboratory at Tufts University's Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in Grafton. Read the press release >>

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MLSC Accelerator Program Receives Strong Response

The MLSC has received eighty-eight applications for the Center's Accelerator loan program for early-stage companies. The first round of applications began on January 1, 2009 and closed on March 6, 2009. Click here to read the press release. Read the press release >>

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MLSC President & CEO Susan Windham-Bannister joins Boston Mayor Thomas Menino at a recent meeting of the Lifetech Boston Advisory Committee

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Second round of New Investigator grants launched

The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center has launched a second round of applications for the Center's New Investigator grant program. The solicitation for the grant program and application materials are now available via this web site. Click "Learn more here" for more information.

Learn more here >>

Read the press release >>

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MLSC Board Approves Life
Sciences Internship Challenge

The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center has launched the Life Sciences Internship Challenge, a workforce development program focused on enhancing the talent pipeline for life sciences companies and research institutions in Massachusetts. The new program will provide Summer 2009 internships to at least 100 undergraduate Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) majors who are considering career opportunities in life sciences - in either an industry or academic setting.

Apply here >>

Learn more here >>

Read the press release >>

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The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center and the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council recently sponsored a UMass Lowell "Take the Initiative" forum to help companies and higher education institutions learn how to access funds available under the state's $1 billion Massachusetts Life Sciences Initiative, signed into law by Governor Patrick last June. Dr. Susan Windham-Bannister, left, president and CEO of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, UMass Lowell Chancellor Marty Meehan, center, and Massachusetts Biotechnology Council Vice President John Heffernan were among the speakers.

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MLSC prepares for Bio 2009

The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center is taking the lead role in preparing the Massachusetts presence at Bio 2009, the leading international life sciences trade show that will take place May 18-21 in Atlanta Georgia. Massachusetts will sponsor a 3,000 square foot exhibition pavilion, space that will be shared with Massachusetts-based companies, research institutions and economic development agencies. For more information about participation in Bio 2009, contact MLSC Vice President for Communications Angus McQuilken at amcquilken@masslifesciences.com.

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Governor Deval Patrick and MLSC President and CEO Susan Windham-Bannister visit InVivo Therapeutics as part of a tour of the Cambridge Innnovation Center, a business incubator that hosts over a dozen early-stage life sciences companies.  InVivo is creating therapies that will improve the quality of life of those who live with spinal cord injury.

 

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MLSC President & CEO Susan Windham-Bannister (right) leads a panel discussion at the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council's 2009 Annual Policy Luncheon. Panelists include (from left to right): Jill Arent, Assistant Vice President, R&D and Regulatory Policy, Wyeth; Reid J. Jeonard, Ph.D, Executive Director, Licensing & External Research, Merck & Co., Inc; and Michael Bonney, President & CEO, Cubist Pharmaceuticals.

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MLSC Board approves $7.4 million
grant for expansion of Organogenesis

The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center Board of Directors has approved a $7.4 million grant to Canton-based Organogenesis, Inc. to facilitate a major expansion that will create hundreds of jobs. The Center will provide $3.7 million this fiscal year, and $3.7 million during FY 2010. Read the press release here.

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Three new members approved
for Scientific Advisory Board

The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center has announced the addition of three new members to the organization's Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). The three additions, experts representing the Massachusetts scientific investment community, bring the Board's total membership to fifteen. Read the press release here.

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Massachusetts Life Sciences Center
Launches Tax Incentive and
Early-Stage Investment Programs

The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center began accepting on-line applications for the Life Sciences Tax Incentive Program and the Center's new Life Sciences Accelerator investment program on January 1, 2009. See the press release here. To learn more about these programs, and the MLSC matching grant programs, or to apply, click here.

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Report from the Life Sciences Talent Initiative

The Technical Report from the Life Sciences Talent Initiative is now available on-line. This version expands upon the information contained in the published version of the report that was released in September, 2008. View both reports here.

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Corporate Consortium Program approved

On December 16th, 2008, the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center Board of Directors voted to approve a Corporate Consortium Program, with Johnson & Johnson as the charter member. Read the press release here.
Read release >>

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Cooperative Research Grants worth $3.7 million awarded

On December 16th, 2008, the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center Board of Directors voted to approve the Center's first round of Cooperative Research Grants. Six grants totaling more than $3.7 million were awarded to fund collaborations between scientists, academic institutions and industry. Read the press release here. Read release >>

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MLSC announces location for headquarters

The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center announced on December 15th, 2008 that its new headquarters will be located at the Bay Colony Corporate Center in Waltham. Read the press release >>

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Draft of life sciences certification and tax incentive application released for public review

On Monday, November 24, the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center released a draft application for certification and participation in the Life Sciences Tax Incentive Program. Under the Life Sciences Act, the MLSC is authorized to offer a combination of nine different tax incentives to certified life sciences companies, with a cumulative annual cap of $25 million.
Read more >>

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Department of Revenue posts final Technical Information Release (TIR) for implementation of Mass Life Sciences Center tax incentive program

November 24th, 2008 (Boston, MA) - The Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR) has posted on their web site their final Technical Information Release (TIR) (link to final TIR) regarding implementation of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center's tax incentive program for "certified life sciences companies" seeking to grow or begin their businesses in Massachusetts. Chapter 130 of the Acts of 2008, "An Act Providing for the Investment in and Expansion of the Life Sciences Industry in the Commonwealth", authorizes the Center, in consultation with the Department of Revenue, to provide up to $25 million in tax incentives annually, beginning on January 1, 2009. The Center is currently developing the relevant certification criteria, as well as the application process through which companies may apply for tax incentives, a draft of which is available for public review here.

View the Department of Revenue's TIR

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$15 million grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute for Marine Biological Laboratory

Governor Deval Patrick and Dr. Osamu Shimomura,
2008 recipient of the Nobel Prize for Chemistry

On November 17, 2008 the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center joined with Governor Deval Patrick and Senate President Therese Murray to announce a $15 million grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute for Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) in Woods Hole. The grant was leveraged by a $10 million commitment of state funding contained in the Life Sciences Act that was released by the Life Sciences Center Board on November 18th, 2008, and that will fund a combined $25 million renovation of lab space at MBL. MBL is a leading international, independent, nonprofit institution dedicated to discovery and to improving the human condition through creative research and education in the biological, biomedical and environmental sciences. Founded in 1888, MBL is the oldest private marine laboratory in the Western Hemisphere. Also participating in the event was Dr. Osamu Shimomura, MBL distinguished scientist and 2008 recipient of the Nobel Prize for Chemistry.

Read press release >> View more photos >>

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Dr. Windham-Bannister is a
Mass High Tech All-Star Awardee

Dr. Susan Windham-Bannister, President & CEO of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, receives a Mass High Tech All-Star Award in recognition of her leadership in promoting the life sciences. Presenting the award is Douglas Banks, Editor of Mass High Tech. Mass High Tech is a weekly publication covering business news of the New England high tech industry.

Read more >>

 

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Mass Life Sciences Center Embraces Recommendations to Address Workforce Needs of Life Sciences Sector

Academia, industry and government collaboration key to preparing for growing life sciences workforce in the Commonwealth

September 16, 2008 (Boston, MA)— The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center embraced a study that says Massachusetts must improve, expand and tailor its educational programs and resources designed to prepare students and workers for jobs in life sciences sector, at a board meeting today. The study lays out recommendations to ensure the life sciences industry will have the talent it needs to grow in the Commonwealth over the next decade.
Read more >>

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University of Massachusetts Medical School and Massachusetts Life Sciences Center Announce Launch of International Stem Cell Registry

BOSTON – September 11, 2008 – The University of Massachusetts Medical School and the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) today announced the launch of the International Stem Cell Registry (ISCR). As an initial component of Governor Deval Patrick’s 10-year, $1 billion Life Sciences Initiative, the ISCR received a $570,000 grant from the MLSC. Read the complete press release >>

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Massachusetts Life Sciences Center Announces Newly Appointed Board Of Directors

New board votes to approve first-of-its-kind state investment of nearly $7M in
Massachusetts-based Research Matching Grants

BOSTON -July 23, 2008 – The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) announced its newly formed Board of Directors at the board’s July meeting today, the first meeting since Governor Deval Patrick signed landmark Life Sciences legislation on June 16th. The $1 billion investment package positions Massachusetts as a global leader in the industry and tasks the Center with realizing the vision of the initiative. As one of its first acts, the board voted to approve the recipients of two 2008 Research Matching Grants, totaling nearly $7 million, that will go to foster and grow the scientific research enterprise of the Commonwealth.  Read more >>

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The $1 billion question
Life Sciences Center chief sees herself as state standard-bearer

Boston Globe | July 20, 2008

Susan Windham-Bannister, 57, has a big job before her: spending $1 billion. The longtime healthcare industry consultant was just tapped to run the new Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, the agency charged with overseeing the state's new $1 billion life sciences initiative. The agency is so new that the Carlisle resident is just the second employee. (Melissa Walsh, the center's chief of staff, is the other.) Globe reporter Todd Wallack sat down with Windham-Bannister recently to find out her vision for the job. Read more >>

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Gov. Deval Patrick signed the $1 billion life sciences bill on June 16, 2008 at the Joslin Diabetes Center. Click thumbnails below to enlarge.

 

Patrick keeps a promise to the biotech industry

Governor set to sign $1b benefit plan

By Todd Wallack
Boston Globe
June 16, 2008

When the world's biggest biotechnology trade show opened in Boston last year, Governor Deval L. Patrick unveiled a bold proposal to pump $1 billion into the state's growing life sciences industry over the next decade.

Today, Patrick is headed to this year's convention in San Diego to tell biotech executives he is finally delivering on that promise. Read more >>

Read many more related articles >>

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At first blush, Gov. Deval Patrick’s appointment of Susan Windham-Bannister to head the state’s Life Sciences Center might seem a little unusual.

After all, as head of the center she will be put in charge of the state’s recently passed $1 billion life sciences initiative. And although she’s worked within the biotechnology industry for years, she’s never been the one handling the test tubes and pipettes.

Read more >>

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Governor Patrick Meets With Leading
Scientists On Life Sciences 

Scientific Review Board Chaired by Dr. Harvey F. Lodish Holds First Meeting Wednesday in Governor’s Council Chamber

BOSTON (May 7, 2008) – Governor Deval Patrick today convened a meeting of leading scientists to discuss ways that Massachusetts can create new economic opportunity and spur new discoveries in the life sciences sector.  The Governor welcomed the new 10-member Scientific Advisory Board to the State House and urged them to guide the investment decisions of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC). Read more >>

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OFFICIAL LAUNCH

Matching Grant Program for
Researchers in the Life Sciences

On February 11th, 2008, the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) officially launched a new Matching Grant Program, designed to fund research at public and private universities and colleges and affiliated research institutions such as academic medical centers and independent research entities in Massachusetts. The program aims to foster and grow the scientific research enterprise of the Commonwealth. Read more >>

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Proposed $1 billion investment in biotechnology:
House Bill 4234

Life Sciences Legislation Filed In Massachusetts Legislature on July 19, 2007“An Act Providing for the Investment In and Expansion of the Life Sciences Industry in the Commonwealth”

On July 19th Governor Deval Patrick submitted a bill to the Legislature outlining a wide-ranging biotech plan. Learn more about the proposed bill >>

The legislation summarized:

• Funding for Life Sciences Initiative
• $500 million in capital funding
• Strengthening the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center Board
• $2.5 million per year over ten years to the Life Sciences Center to fund research grants, fellowships, and sector-wide workforce training initiatives
• Two new board positions
• Capital planning process to implement capital projects, and ten person advisory committee
• Expansion of Tax Code Provisions for Life Sciences Companies
• Creates new Life Sciences Sector Investment Program
• Creates tax incentives for certified life sciences sector projects
• Imposes a yearly project evaluation and provides for project decertification in the event that a company fails to achieve projected ROI

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Governor Patrick’s Life Sciences Forum

Co-Sponsored by the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center,
the Massachusetts Life Sciences Collaborative,
and the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development

Furthering the call to boost funding of biomedical research and move forward the Life Sciences Initiative, Governor Deval Patrick hosted a forum which brought together more than 100 business and science leaders on June 21 in Cambridge to brainstorm about the future.

 

Learn more about the event >>

 

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Life Sciences Talent Initiative

A Systematic Analysis of Needs and Capabilities and
Recommendations for a State Strategy

Ensuring that Massachusetts has the talent to meet the needs of the growing life sciences sector is critical to the success of the life sciences initiative. In June 2007, the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center board voted to engage the University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute to complete a study to determine the life sciences workforce needs throughout the Commonwealth. 
Read more >>
 

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The Massachusetts Life Sciences Initiative

Announced by Governor Deval Patrick at BIO 2007

Boston, Massachusetts

At the BIO 2007 convention on May 8, Governor Patrick announced his plan to make Massachusetts the global leader in life sciences, unveiling for the first time a comprehensive, collaborative Massachusetts Life Sciences Strategy.

Learn more about the event >>