PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Shawna Axenroth and her daughter go hiking in the scenic Berkshire Hills and talk about the environment. They run science experiments in their kitchen. And they are both looking to pursue scientific careers.
Axenroth is at Berkshire Community College and her daughter is just starting the first year of high school. They both want to live and work fruitful careers in the science field in their hometown.
But the way it has been going in the region, there hasn’t been much reason to be optimistic about that prospect. The population has been declining, particularly with the younger generation, and educational attainment and incomes have been trailing. The general feeling for years has been that one has to leave the area to find a successful career.
But Axenroth now has a little bit of hope. On Tuesday, Gov. Charlie Baker headlined the groundbreaking of the Berkshire Innovation Center — a $13.7 million project eyed to be the key connection between science education and science jobs in the area. It’s considered an important piece of growing the area’s life sciences and advanced manufacturing fields.
Groundbreaking Ceremony Held for Berkshires Life Sciences Innovation Hub
PITTSFIELD, MA – Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito joined state and local officials to break ground on the $13.7 million Berkshire Innovation Center (BIC), which will catalyze and accelerate innovation and growth of new and existing companies that will spur economic growth and job creation in Western Massachusetts.
MA Governor Charlie Baker Attends Berkshire Innovation Center Groundbreaking
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker stopped by Pittsfield Tuesday for the groundbreaking of a long-awaited project.
After a decade of planning, fundraising, and networking, the Berkshire Innovation Center broke ground at the William Stanley Business Park on the former campus of General Electric in the heart of Pittsfield. The Republican described the center as a think tank, accelerator, incubator, place where smart people go to trade big ideas with people who have been there and done that and find investors and other sponsors to do really great things.” Making a rare visit to the Berkshires, Baker was joined by Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito and a host of local community leaders. Plans are for the almost $14 million to open in late 2019.
State, county dig in, break ground for Berkshire Innovation Center
PITTSFIELD — Another chapter in the Berkshire Innovation Center’s long history was completed Tuesday when local and state officials gathered at the William Stanley Business Park to officially break ground for the $13.8 million workforce development center’s construction. Continue reading “State, county dig in, break ground for Berkshire Innovation Center” »
August 21, 2018
Collecting data while collecting a paycheck
LOWELL — On a stifling August day, 18-year-old Sophia Manukian finds refuge from the heat in a UMass Lowell chemistry lab.
She’s there to finish up some problems on her laptop: statistical analysis of the speed at which a protein refolds, she says. But this isn’t a chemistry class; Manukian is conducting research on a muscle protein called Titin under the direction of associate chemistry Professor Matthew Gage, and she’s getting paid for it. Continue reading “Collecting data while collecting a paycheck” »
August 9, 2018
Lever Secures New State & Private Sector Funding
Challenge Programs Will Award $150,000 to Manufacturing and Health Startups
North Adams, Mass. — During an event today at Greylock WORKS, Berkshire County startup incubator Lever, Inc. announced that it secured $450,000 in new funding and launched two new challenge programs which aim to boost entrepreneurs and innovative startups in the region. The new programs will award a total of $150,000 in seed grants for manufacturing and health startups in the Berkshire region over the next three years, awarding six $25,000 grants to startups that participate in Lever’s new Challenge programs. The aim of these programs will be to foster regional entrepreneurship, attract entrepreneurs from outside the region to start companies in Berkshire County, and expand Lever’s impact as it builds an entrepreneurial ecosystem to foster economic and job growth throughout the Berkshires.
Business and community leaders from across the Berkshires were joined at the announcement by Travis McCready, President & CEO of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC), Pat Larkin, Director of the Innovation Institute at the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech), North Adams Mayor Tom Bernard, Pittsfield Mayor Linda Tyer, State Senator Adam Hinds, and State Representative John Barrett.
The new funding for Lever will come from a mix of state, private, and non-profit sources from both inside and outside Berkshire County. McCready and Larkin announced that the MLSC and MassTech have awarded Lever two grants from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that will total up to $300,000 over three years, including up to $225,000 from the MLSC ($75,000/year) and $75,000 from MassTech ($25,000/year).
MassTech’s funding is matched by both Berkshire Bank and Williams College, following MassTech’s model for corporate and academic co-funding. The Commonwealth’s support for Lever will help build on the MLSC’s $12 million investment in the Berkshire Innovation Center in Pittsfield, as the Lever Challenges will help spur the pipeline of startups to the Center.
“Our innovation economy leads the nation, and programs that spur entrepreneurial ventures are essential to our continued economic growth,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash. “The Baker-Polito Administration has made substantial investments in the Berkshires, and across the Commonwealth, to ensure Massachusetts continues to be the top place to start and grow a business.”
“We’re pleased to support these new initiatives to embolden entrepreneurship and innovation in the areas of manufacturing and health,” said MLSC President & CEO Travis McCready. “This opportunity exemplifies two pillars of our strong ecosystem: supporting the growth and development of the life sciences throughout Massachusetts and leveraging strong public/private partnerships to grow the Massachusetts economy.”
“MassTech is excited to partner with these great local organizations to invest in Lever and to create new opportunities for innovative businesses to grow in this region,” stated MassTech’s Pat Larkin. “As a life-long resident of the Berkshires, I have seen the challenges faced by startups. By building more connections through events and startup challenges, Lever can help create a true community of entrepreneurs that will help these businesses to expand their offerings, hire more workers, and drive increased investment throughout the region.”
“This multi-institutional commitment signals broad support for Lever and its mission to lift the regional economy by fostering growth companies here in Berkshire County,” stated Jeffrey Thomas, Lever’s Executive Director.
Lever will begin work immediately to deploy this new funding. On January 24, 2019, Lever will award $25,000 in seed funding to the winner of the Berkshire Manufacturing Innovation Challenge (BMIC). A panel of expert judges will decide which startup among four finalists presents the most scalable and investable manufacturing business model with applications in the life sciences. Lever is accepting applications for its first annual BMIC through October 7.
“We have a long experience with this challenge format, both on regional college campuses and with programs such as the North Adams Arts Enterprise Challenge,” said Brent Filson, Lever’s Director of Programs and Operations and lead organizer of the BMIC. “We’re confident that the BMIC will attract some of the brightest entrepreneurs to launch their innovative companies here.”
Organizations interested in sponsoring Lever’s efforts or participating in the Challenge can contact Brent Filson at Lever (bfilson@lever.org) or you can find more information about the BMIC online at: http://leverinc.org/bmic/
August 8, 2018
Travis McCready – “Possible”
In collaboration with MassBio, MLSC president & CEO Travis McCready gave a speech on the value of nourishing talent in students of all ages and backgrounds.
July 5, 2018
Boston Globe EDITORIAL: Life Sciences 2.0 stokes Mass. competitiveness
Life Sciences 2.0 stokes Mass. competitiveness
JULY 05, 2018
How do you nurture the Commonwealth’s thriving life sciences sector? It takes more than a village — it takes an ecosystem. At least, that’s how Travis McCready, the head of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, characterizes the heady mix of brilliant minds, transformative ideas, thriving academic centers, and risk-taking startups that are building the region’s biotech future.There’s another key ingredient, however: the government partnerships needed to help fuel that growth. That’s why it’s noteworthy that Governor Baker overcame his initial skepticism and signed a bill, known as the Life Sciences Initiative 2.0, that commits up to $623 million in bond authorizations and tax credits over the next five years.
Baker-Polito Administration Signs Life Sciences Initiative
PRESS RELEASE
Invests $473 million in capital authorization, extends and expands job-creating state tax credit to $150 million over five years
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
6/15/2018
BOSTON — Today, Governor Charlie Baker signed An Act providing continued investment in the life sciences industry in the Commonwealth to invest up to $623 million in bond authorization and tax credits over five years in education, research and development, and workforce training. This legislation will serve to reinforce the Baker-Polito Administration’s commitment to leadership in the life sciences sector. The funding will continue to be managed by the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC), which is co-chaired by Administration and Finance Secretary Michael Heffernan and Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash.
BOSTON, June 7, 2018 – Today, Ipsen (Euronext: IPN; ADR: IPSEY), a global biopharmaceutical group, announced it will establish its North American headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The announcement was made at the 2018 BIO International Convention in Boston with the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC), an economic development investment agency dedicated to supporting the growth and development of the life sciences in Massachusetts. Continue reading “Global Biopharmaceutical Company, Ipsen Announces New Headquarters for North America will be located in Cambridge, Massachusetts” »
June 6, 2018
Baker-Polito Administration Announces Job Creation Incentives for 23 Massachusetts Life Sciences Companies
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 5, 2018
Baker-Polito Administration Announces Job Creation Incentives for 23 Massachusetts Life Sciences Companies
Incentives will create over 1,000 new life science jobs throughout Massachusetts, with a focus on small and medium sized companies
BOSTON – Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced nearly $20 million in tax incentive awards to 23 life sciences companies. The awards were approved by the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC), and will create over 1,100 new jobs across the Commonwealth in 2018. The tax incentive awards will support life sciences job growth in 18 different Massachusetts communities, the majority of which are located or expanding outside of Boston and Cambridge.
Governor Charlie Baker announced the awards in his remarks at the BIO 2018 International Convention, an annual meeting that convenes 16,000 participants representing the breadth of the life sciences and application areas including drug discovery, biomanufacturing, genomics, biofuels, nanotechnology and cell therapy.
“Our administration is committed to supporting strategic investments to create more jobs and continue to improve Massachusetts’ overall position as a global leader in the life sciences,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “We look forward to working with the Legislature, MLSC and stakeholders to pass our bill to provide up to $500 million over five years for strategic investments in public infrastructure, research and development, workforce training and education.”
“We are proud Massachusetts continues to be the world’s leading ecosystem for successful life science companies,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “These awards support our economic development strategy, and we are pleased to see the number of life sciences companies continue to grow across the Commonwealth, expanding the reach of our innovation economy to new cities and towns.”
For the 2018 round, MLSC focused on leveraging diverse life sciences assets across the state to encourage growth more equitably throughout Massachusetts. Small and medium sized enterprises and companies located or expanding outside of Boston and Cambridge were actively encouraged to apply to the tax incentive program.
“The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center is an important partner in our work to support the growth of Massachusetts economy,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash. “Along with today’s awards, we are working together to ensure our students have the skills necessary to join the industry, deepen the pool of talent in demand by life sciences companies and ensure Massachusetts remains a great place for companies to grow and people to live and thrive.”
“The tax incentive program continues to serve as an example of the Baker-Polito Administration’s commitment to job creation throughout Massachusetts,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Michael J. Heffernan. “These tax incentives serve as a critical catalyst for innovation and growth in this important sector of the Massachusetts economy.”
“Through this program we are fulfilling our commitment to supporting an ecosystem that fuels job growth, promotes innovation within the industry, and provides a constant stimulant for research and development, manufacturing, and commercialization in the life sciences,” said Travis McCready, president and chief executive officer of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center. “Moreover, we are incentivizing both home grown and global companies to expand their footprint in our state.”
The Life Sciences Tax Incentive Program authorizes tax incentives each year for growing companies engaged in life sciences research and development, commercialization and manufacturing. The primary goal of the program is to incentivize life sciences companies of all sizes to create new, long-term jobs in Massachusetts.
Through previous award rounds, there are 126 active or completed awards, totaling more than $116 million in tax incentives. Prior awardees have created more than 5,700 new jobs since receiving tax incentives.
“We are pleased to be recognized by the Commonwealth for the ongoing growth of our workforce here, and this year we will continue to expand both our physical footprint and the types of roles we will bring into the organization with the opening of our new clinical development manufacturing plant in Norwood,” said Annie Drapeau, chief human resources officer at Moderna Therapeutics. “Massachusetts and the companies based here continue to attract the very best talent in our industry, and we are excited to be a part of this thriving life sciences community.”
“Berkshire Sterile Manufacturing appreciates the tax incentive award from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center as it allows us to continue to grow and expand in Massachusetts,” said Shawn Kinney, PhD, president of Berkshire Sterile Manufacturing, Inc. “We continue to add high paying jobs in part from the assistance that we receive from MLSC. Last year we doubled in size and look forward to more growth this coming year.”
“We are thankful to receive the tax incentive award from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center,” said Ankit Mahadevia, M.D., chief executive officer of Spero Therapeutics. “The award will assist us as we hire additional employees within the local biotech community in Boston to support our mission of bringing novel anti-infective therapies for current and emerging drug-resistant infections to patients.”
In June 2017, the Baker-Polito Administration filed a legislative proposal to bolster Massachusetts’ leadership in the life sciences sector, which would provide up to $500 million over five years for strategic investments in public infrastructure, research and development, and workforce training and education, including up to $295 million in capital authorization and up to $150 million in job-creating tax incentives. The funding will continue to be managed by the MLSC, which is co-chaired by Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash and Administration and Finance Secretary Michael J. Heffernan.
The Tax Incentive Program is jointly administered by the MLSC and the Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR), which oversees the technical administration of the incentives. Jobs that are created must be maintained for at least five years. The Tax Incentive Program mandates that awarded companies submit reports and respond to inquiries by the MLSC and DOR regarding employment figures. If a company receiving a tax incentive under the program does not meet and maintain their minimum threshold for job creation, the credit can be recovered by DOR, requiring that the company pay back all or a portion of the tax incentives they’ve received.
About the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center
The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) is an economic development investment agency dedicated to supporting the growth and development of the life sciences in Massachusetts, home to the most verdant and productive life sciences ecosystem in the world. Through public-private funding initiatives, the MLSC supports innovation, research & development, commercialization, and manufacturing activities in the fields of biopharma, medical device, diagnostics, and digital health. Since its creation in 2007, the MLSC has strategically deployed over $700 million in Massachusetts, through a combination of grants, loans, capital infrastructure investments, tax incentives, and workforce programs. These investments have created thousands of jobs, and propelled the development of new therapies, devices, and scientific advancements that are improving patient health and well-being in Massachusetts and beyond.
2018 Massachusetts Life Sciences Tax Incentive Program Awardees:
Company
Location
Incentive Amount
Jobs
Abiomed Inc
Danvers
$750,000.00
50
Alkermes, Inc.
Waltham
$1,500,000.00
100
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Norton
$1,650,000.00
110
Astellas Institute for Regenerative Medicine
Marlborough
$150,000.00
10
Berkshire Sterile Manufacturing
Lee
$340,000.00
23
Citra Labs, LLC
Braintree
$450,000.00
30
Decibel Therapeutics, Inc.
Cambridge
$200,000.00
22
EMD Holding Corporation
Danvers
$1,350,000.00
90
Enanta Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Watertown
$270,000.00
18
Evelo Biosciences, Inc.
Cambridge
$465,000.00
31
Indigo Agriculture, Inc.
Charlestown
$1,125,000.00
75
Instrumentation Laboratory Company
Bedford
$525,000.00
35
Insulet Corporation
Acton
$3,690,000.00
150
L.E.A.F. Pharmaceuticals LLC
Woburn
$300,000.00
20
Lantheus Medical Imaging, Inc.
North Billerica
$480,000.00
32
Moderna Therapeutics, Inc.
Norwood
$1,725,000.00
115
ProTom International Holding Corporation
Wakefield
$150,000.00
10
Rubius Therapeutics
Cambridge
$750,000.00
50
Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
East Walpole
$2,009 000.00
82
Spero Therapeutics, Inc.
Watertown
$150,000.00
10
SQZ Biotech
Watertown
$240,000.00
16
Vicarious Surgical Inc.
Cambridge
$150,000.00
10
WAVE Life Sciences
Lexington
$1,500,000.00
100
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May 22, 2018
Massachusetts Life Sciences Center Initiative for Women Entrepreneurs Gains New Partners
Massachusetts Life Sciences Center Initiative for Women Entrepreneurs Gains New Partners
Massachusetts Next Generation Initiative receives $125,000 from Thomas Ragno and Stephen Lynch of King Street Properties; More than 30 applications received for program to support women-led, early-stage life sciences companies
Waltham, MA May 17, 2018 – The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) today announced two new financial partners for its Massachusetts Next Generation Initiative (MassNextGen), a new competitive program for women-led life sciences companies. Thomas Ragno and Stephen Lynch are the Principals of King Street Properties, a private real estate investment management firm focused on serving the complex needs of science-based companies. Their partnership with the MassNextGen initiative will provide $125,000 for a sponsorship, in addition to in-kind support, including spaces for coaching sessions.
“This makes absolute sense for King Street to further support a strong and diverse life sciences ecosystem,” said Tom Ragno of King Street Properties. “Supporting early-stage companies is not only smart business, but consistent with our corporate values to help attract and retain top scientific talent and create an atmosphere which accelerates diversity, collaboration and discovery. We applaud the MLSC for taking this decisive step to address the gap with this program.”
In November of last year, the Baker-Polito Administration announced the launch of MassNextGen as a five-year, $1.1 million commitment, aimed at empowering women and improving diversity in the next generation of life sciences entrepreneurs. The $1.1 million commitment includes $500,000 in direct awards to participants, with $250,000 in 1-to-1 funding matches from anchor partner, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, and the MLSC. An additional $500,000 in in-kind contributions will be provided for networking, professional development and coaching support.
Since its launch, the MLSC has leveraged the region’s substantial network of seasoned entrepreneurs, investors and life science experts to create a newly formed executive coaching network that will select each year’s winners based on a set of criteria including, but not limited to, the level of involvement of women in the conception, strategy, and execution of the company, the proposed use of funding, and the business plan feasibility. The MLSC began accepting proposals in January 2018 and received a total of 37 applications from women-led, early-stage life sciences companies. The applicants are located throughout the Commonwealth and represent a range of sectors within the life sciences industry.
“We are grateful for the leadership of King Street Properties and our other partners for helping lead the charge to ensure the next generation of life science entrepreneurs is diverse,” said Jennifer Griffin, who serves as the Vice President of Industry Programs & Relations at the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center.
According to Babson College’s The Diana Project report “Women Entrepreneurs 2014: Bridging the Gender Gap in Venture Capital,” only 15 percent of the companies receiving venture capital investment had a woman on the executive team from 2011-2013. Only 3 percent of total venture capital dollars in the U.S. went to companies with a female CEO and it is hardest for female executives to attain seed-stage funding. The life sciences ecosystem, entrepreneurs and investors alike, benefits from having more diverse leaders with talent and bright ideas. MassNextGen aims to visibly move the Massachusetts ecosystem in that direction.
“MassNextGen aims to identify promising women-led life science companies and to ensure that the individuals leading them have the tools to succeed, thereby providing an opportunity for Massachusetts to gain a competitive advantage by having women equally represented,” said Pam Randhawa, who serves on the MassNextGen coaching network, the MLSC Board of Directors, and is the Founder and CEO of Empiriko, an integrated precision medicine company.
Each year, through MassNextGen, winning companies will be awarded a year-long customized package of support that includes funding as well as access to a specially recruited network of executive coaches from the life sciences ecosystem to help support and develop the next generation of women life science entrepreneurs. Winners of the inaugural round are expected to be announced this summer.
“Gender parity is not only about equal representation, but also about a strong business case that supports a diverse ecosystem,” said Luba Greenwood, who also serves on the MassNextGen coaching network and recently joined Google, Verily in the Strategic Business Development and Corporate Ventures for the Google Life Sciences division. “While we continue to gain more and more insight into why the disparity exists, and more knowledge on what actions must be taken to fix it, we know for sure women are essential members of an innovative and thriving ecosystem.”
More about MassNextGen
Having more women at all levels of our ecosystem makes the life sciences industry stronger. The MassNextGen initiative is designed to support women entrepreneurs, giving them the tools they need to succeed. These tools include expanding their network, increased visibility within the ecosystem, and directly investing in their ventures via non-dilutive capital. The Massachusetts Life Sciences Centers looks forward to featuring standout Massachusetts women-led life science companies over the course of the next five years and partnering with industry stakeholders to be agents of change.
More about King Street Properties
King Street Properties is the largest privately-held and locally-based owner of life science real estate in the Greater Boston area. With over 1.2 million square feet of lab space under ownership and management in Cambridge and the core suburban laboratory markets, King Street is highly experienced in the development and operation of best-in-class multi-tenant laboratory buildings. King Street offers a hands-on approach while drawing upon the large company experience of its team and has the flexibility to deliver customized space solutions to a wide range of innovators and entrepreneurs.
More about the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center
The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) is an economic development investment agency dedicated to supporting the growth and development of the life sciences in Massachusetts, home to the most verdant and productive life sciences ecosystem in the world. Through public-private funding initiatives, the MLSC supports innovation, research & development, commercialization, and manufacturing activities in the fields of biopharma, medical device, diagnostics, and digital health. Since its creation in 2007, the MLSC has strategically deployed over $700 million in Massachusetts, through a combination of grants, loans, capital infrastructure investments, tax incentives, and workforce programs. These investments have created thousands of jobs, and propelled the development of new therapies, devices, and scientific advancements that are improving patient health and well-being in Massachusetts and beyond.
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May 2, 2018
New biotech lab opens at New Bedford High School
“We can simulate exactly what’s happening in the real world,” said Chu Kwen Ho, lead science teacher at the school.
Headmaster Bernadette Coelho credited Ho with spearheading the project and writing a grant proposal to get it funded. The lab and training program received $110,000 from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center.
LOWELL — On a stifling August day, 18-year-old Sophia Manukian finds refuge from the heat in a UMass Lowell chemistry lab.
