MLSC’s BioBoost program to provide five companies awards to support facility upgrades, commercialization and workforce opportunities statewide
HOPKINTON, Mass. — Today, Economic Development Undersecretary of Business Strategies Zenobia Moochhala and Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) President and CEO Kirk Taylor, MD, joined industry and legislative leaders at RoslinCT in Hopkinton to announce five awards through the MLSC’s BioBoost program, which provides critical funding to expand biomanufacturing and medtech advanced manufacturing operations across Massachusetts.
Through the BioBoost program, the MLSC invests in projects that strengthen in-state manufacturing capacity, accelerate commercialization, and create robust career opportunities for Massachusetts residents—particularly those without a bachelor’s degree. Designed as a flexible and responsive funding tool to meet the evolving needs of the life sciences industry, BioBoost supports manufacturing scale-up and site readiness efforts through capital investments such as facility buildouts, renovations, and equipment. The funding supports projects that deliver targeted public benefits and enable cutting-edge manufacturing to take place closer to vital research and development operations, allowing scaling companies to put down roots in the Commonwealth as they commercialize.
“Across Massachusetts, we have a thriving life science ecosystem with companies at the forefront of technology and innovation. Sustaining that leadership requires strategic investment in the tools, infrastructure, and talent that fuel long-term growth,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Programs like BioBoost provide the funding companies need to expand their manufacturing capabilities, accelerate commercialization, and cultivate the highly skilled workforce that will power the industry’s future.”
“Massachusetts has long been a global leader in life sciences innovation, and programs like BioBoost help ensure we are also leading in manufacturing and commercialization,” said Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley. “These investments are helping companies scale here in the Commonwealth, strengthen critical supply chains, and create pathways to high-quality careers as new technologies move from the lab to production.”
“Expanding manufacturing capacity is essential to sustaining growth in Massachusetts’ life sciences ecosystem,” said Undersecretary of Business Strategies Zenobia Moochhala. “These investments will help companies move faster, create high-quality jobs, and build a more resilient production pipeline across the Commonwealth.”
“Massachusetts continues to pair its leadership in the life sciences with sustained investments in development and infrastructure,” said MLSC President and CEO Kirk Taylor, MD. “Through programs like BioBoost, we are ensuring companies have access to the resources and talent needed to scale manufacturing operations, reinforcing the Commonwealth’s position as a global hub where innovative treatments and technologies are not only discovered, but also commercialized and produced.”
Following the announcement, state and local officials toured RoslinCT’s cell therapy manufacturing facility, where both clinical and commercial programs are operated within a single integrated facility to support faster, more efficient production—shortening timelines to treatment for patients.
BioBoost awardees include:
Holobiome, Boston – $672,440
Holobiome is building a future where we can modify the human gut microbiome to optimize health and cure disease. To do this, they are creating a foundation model to map how human gut bacteria, human biology, and diet interface. This model is being built with data derived from their Human Microbiome Vault (the world’s most diverse and deeply profiled collection of human gut bacteria), a human gut bacterial genome collection of over 3,000,000 genomes, and real-world human datasets (currently over 100,000 people, with a 6,000-person interventional study planned to initiate this summer). These resources are used to discover superhero microbes or food to develop as consumer products or drugs, with an initial focus on the gut-brain axis. Holobiome is initially collaborating with food and pharma partners to develop these assets (with multiple active collaborations), but eventually seeks to become a hub-and-spoke discovery engine for microbiome products and spinouts. Funding will support the company’s growth beyond lab-scale production and create critical infrastructure for probiotic and postbiotic manufacturing in Massachusetts.
“At Holobiome, we believe that modulating the human gut microbiome has tremendous potential for improving human health and finding cures. However, manufacturing next-generation probiotics or live biotherapeutics is challenging,” said Philip Strandwitz, CEO and Co-Founder of Holobiome. “This funding will support building essential capabilities within Holobiome to overcome these manufacturing challenges. We are so grateful for the MLSC’s continued support, and we are proud to build Holobiome in Massachusetts.”
Massachusetts Biomedical Initiatives (MBI), Worcester – $400,000
Massachusetts Biomedical Initiatives (MBI) will work with the Worcester City Campus Corporation (WCCC) to renovate space at the UMass Medicine Science Park to create new mid-size lab and office suites, supporting the retention and growth of life sciences startups in Central Massachusetts.
“Programs like BioBoost are exactly what Central Massachusetts needs to grow its biomanufacturing ecosystem,” said Jon Weaver, President and CEO of Massachusetts Biomedical Initiatives (MBI). “Incentives for infrastructure and scale-up capacity were a major recommendation in MBI’s Regional Biomanufacturing Strategy, so we’re excited to see that vision turning into action. This investment will help strengthen the region’s position as a biomanufacturing hub while accelerating innovation, job growth, and opportunities across the Central Massachusetts biocluster.”
RoslinCT, Hopkinton – $910,000
A leading CDMO in cell therapy manufacturing, RoslinCT will use this funding to expand its Hopkinton facility, adding cleanroom space and equipping the site to support the production of both autologous and allogeneic cell therapy products.
“RoslinCT is honored to be recognized through the MLSC’s BioBoost program and to continue expanding our advanced cell therapy manufacturing capabilities here in Massachusetts,” said Peter Coleman, CEO of RoslinCT. “We are proud to contribute to Massachusetts’ leadership in life sciences by creating high-skilled jobs, advancing long-term sustainability in the sector, and partnering with organizations like MLSC to strengthen and grow the broader biotech ecosystem.”
Theromics Inc., West Bridgewater – $100,000
Theromics Inc., is a medtech company developing technologies to improve tumor ablation procedures to remove solid tumors. Funding will support evaluation of a potential manufacturing expansion site working with O’Reilly Strategic Advisors.
“In collaboration with the MLSC, our exploration of manufacturing growth opportunities within Massachusetts is receiving critical support in early-stage development when resources are limited,” said Chris O’ Reily, of O’Reilly Strategic Advisors. “This has been a great example of MLSC collaboration within the life sciences ecosystem, bringing transformative healthcare solutions to patients sooner.”
Terrestrial (FKA Vaxess Technologies), Woburn – $1,417,560
Terrestrial is developing a novel microarray patch platform for drug delivery, starting with GLP-1s. This platform uses the skin as a delivery pathway, enabling the greatest levels of dose delivery without the pain of injection. Funding will support the buildout of the first commercial-scale therapeutic microarray patch manufacturing headquarters in the world.
“Massachusetts has long held a leadership position in biopharma and life sciences innovation, and programs like BioBoost ensure that the state’s leadership position will only continue to grow stronger,” said Rachel Sha, CEO of Terrestrial. “This funding is pivotal for Terrestrial as we build out a world-class manufacturing facility in Boston. We’re proud to call Massachusetts home, and this award ensures we’ll be doing so for years to come.”
This first round of BioBoost was highly competitive, with companies requesting approximately $60 million in funding through a program with a $3.5 million budget. Award amounts varied based on the scope of each project, including equipment, facility upgrades, and manufacturing buildout needs. The selected projects were approved by the MLSC Board of Directors based on their overall strength and potential for impact and success.
About the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center
The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) is a quasi-public 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 and development, commercialization, and manufacturing activities in the fields of biopharma, medical device, diagnostics and digital health. Since 2008, the MLSC has strategically deployed more than $1.1 billion in Massachusetts, through a combination of grants, loans, capital infrastructure investments, tax incentives and workforce development 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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