The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center’s mission is to serve as the hub of the world’s life sciences ecosystem, encourage innovation through investments in good science and business, strengthen and protect Massachusetts’ global leadership position in the life sciences, accelerate the commercialization of promising treatments, therapies, and cures that will improve patient care, create jobs, drive economic development and STEM workforce development.
Lead the industry’s next frontier.
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#1 life sciences ecosystem in the world.
Massachusetts is home to the most verdant and productive life sciences ecosystem in the world. With industry, academia, and government working together, a burgeoning economy has flourished to develop the finest talent pipeline and a hotbed for great science, great inventions, and great leaders to propel the development of new therapies, devices, and scientific advancements that are improving patient health and well-being in Massachusetts and around the world.
- #1
- in talent with the highest percentage of residents who hold undergraduate degrees.
- 19
- of the top 20 biopharma companies.
- 25%
- of K-12 students in Massachusetts learn with equipment funded by MLSC.
Human Capital
Strengthening networked connections. Fortifying diversity of talent.
The MLSC’s prioritized commitment to talent development and a more diverse workforce is at the core of how we fulfill our mission. Our strategy starts at the youngest generation, sparking a passion for STEM by supplying middle school and high school level students with the equipment and trained professionals to compete with their peers. We capitalize on the abundance of small and medium life science companies by providing paid internship opportunities. We are also home to the highest density of leading academic research and medical institutions in the country.
The future is bright for the next generation of life sciences leaders
Through the MLSC High School Apprenticeship Challenge, 15 Brockton students participated in an after-school biotechnology lab-training program. The MLSC team also facilitates and funds internships for these students upon completion of the program.
Learning Lab Will Train High Schoolers to Work in Biomanufacturing
BioBuilder Educational Foundation is bringing its life sciences educational programming to Allston with its new Learning Lab. The 2,000 sq. ft. space is outfitted with classroom and lab space, including more than $630,000 worth of equipment funded by the MLSC’s Workforce Development Capital Grant program.
Investing in our Future Workforce
The MLSC has awarded $21.5 million to more than 240 high schools and middle schools throughout MA, which includes more than $20 million for equipment and supplies and nearly $1.2 million for teacher professional development.
Innovation Capital
Investing in infrastructure. Orienting for innovation.
The MLSC is committed to fortifying the innovation ready-infrastructure of the future by fostering robust life sciences development in women’s health, big data, and advanced manufacturing from an early-stage life science company to a world-renowned institution. Our researchers, entrepreneurs, and members of our life sciences ecosystem have access to cutting-edge laboratory equipment and analysis in every corner of the state.
Transforming Biomedical Research in Massachusetts
UMass Chan Medical School received $2.8 million from the MLSC for the purchase of an advanced Glacios cryo-electron microscope from Thermo Fisher Scientific. Since its establishment in 2015, the UMass Cryo-EM Core has supported data collection for approximately 30 companies and 100 academic labs.
MLSC Funds ‘First in New England’ Instrument to Advance Groundbreaking Research
Dr. Catana was awarded $3,250,000 through the MLSC’s Research Infrastructure program to support the installation of a state of the art long axial field-of-view positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) instrument at MGH.
A Vision Being Realized in Amherst
IALS is the MLSC’s largest capital project, a $95 million investment. In 2020, an additional $2 million in capital grants was awarded to support four of UMass Amherst campus’ Core Facilities managed by IALS. To date, IALS has engaged approximately 300 industry partners.
Growth Capital
Fostering seed-stage companies. Scaling growing businesses.
Investments to fund and accelerate inventive concepts from early-stage companies is at the core of the Center’s overall portfolio strategy. For companies looking to scale their business or relocate to Massachusetts, the MLSC will make a concentrated effort to provide the strategic insights, tax incentives, grants, or loans to qualifying companies, creating a burgeoning economy and job market.
Creating New, Long-Term Jobs Across Massachusetts
In June 2025, the MLSC announced $29.9 million in tax incentive awards to 33 life sciences companies of which 18 companies, accounting for 48 percent of the new jobs, are expanding in communities outside of Boston and Cambridge.
Regionalized Expansion Made Possible by Tax Incentives
Two Central Massachusetts life sciences companies are expanding their presence in the state, committing to a total of 130 new jobs as part of a state tax incentive program designed to bolster the life sciences industry.
Sheba Medical Center to Launch First U.S. Accelerator in MA
The MLSC and the Healey-Driscoll Administration welcomed the leadership of Sheba Medical Center, the largest and most comprehensive medical center in the Middle East, to celebrate their recent decision to launch their first U.S. health care startup accelerator in Massachusetts.
Intellectual Capital
Cultivating emerging research. Steering emerging inventions.
Massachusetts Life Sciences Center is deliberate with its offering of portfolio programs to evolve as the industry does and invest in the research and development, commercialization and manufacturing, people, and regions that need it most.
Building a Diverse Ecosystem with Equal Representation
Now with 35 companies in its portfolio, MassNextGen continues toward its goal of shifting the paradigm to build a diverse ecosystem with equal representation.
Life Sciences Center Taking Lead on Women’s Health Initiative
With three women’s health programs, the MLSC aims to support and incentivize translational project teams who are developing novel solutions in this area of need. The MLSC has deployed more than $19 million across 60 projects in collaboration with 15 companies.
Supporting the Merrimack Valley Life Sciences Cluster
In April 2021, the MLSC announced a $750,000 investment supporting three Lowell-based companies. Decoy Therapeutics, EnVision Endoscopy, and Haystack Diagnostics will receive a $250,000 investment in the form of a convertible note.
News and Breakthroughs
Healey-Driscoll Administration and Massachusetts Life Sciences Center Announce Awardees of Health Equity Accelerator
The MLSC Health Equity Accelerator program is designed to advance health equity in underserved communities. Massachusetts-based non-profit and for-profit organizations receive support through this program to develop life sciences-driven solutions that reduce disparities and address unmet healthcare needs.
Governor Healey Signs Economic Development Bill to Strengthen Massachusetts’ Global Leadership in Climatetech, Life Sciences and AI
The Mass Leads Act will create jobs, support business growth, expand workforce development programs and support rural and regional economic development initiatives across the Commonwealth.
Healey-Driscoll Administration and Massachusetts Life Sciences Center Announce Awardees for Massachusetts Next Generation Initiative
Four companies will receive awards of $60,000 per company, including additional funds and in-kind services from MassNextGen sponsors.
