Four early-stage life science companies represent the eighth cohort of a public-private initiative to support diverse entrepreneurs
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Today, Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) President and CEO Kirk Taylor, MD, joined life sciences industry leaders at the Cambridge Innovation Center to announce the eighth cohort of awardees of the Massachusetts Next Generation (MassNextGen) Initiative, a public-private partnership that supports underrepresented entrepreneurs in the Massachusetts life sciences sector. Four companies will each receive awards of $100,000, including additional funds and in-kind services from MassNextGen sponsors.
Johnson & Johnson hosted today’s announcement event and has served as a sponsor of the MassNextGen initiative since 2020. Originally launched in 2018 to ensure greater gender parity in the next generation of life science entrepreneurs, the program has expanded in recent years to support a larger pool of entrepreneurs with a broad, more inclusive focus.
“Massachusetts leads the world in life sciences because we invest in talent and back bold ideas and unique perspectives,” said Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley, co-chair of the MLSC Board of Directors. “MassNextGen helps ensure the next generation of founders reflects the range of talent we have across the Commonwealth. When more innovators have a clear pathway to capital, coaching and industry connections, we strengthen our competitive edge and accelerate breakthroughs that improve patient health worldwide.”
“These entrepreneurs represent the bright future of the Massachusetts life sciences ecosystem,” said MLSC President and CEO Kirk Taylor, MD. “With the support of our MLSC team, along with our coaches, sponsors, and partners throughout the Commonwealth, MassNextGen is strengthening an ecosystem that elevates underrepresented entrepreneurs and equips them to succeed at a critical stage in their development.”
Awardees of the program receive a year-long customized package of support, which includes non-dilutive grant funding and access to a network of seasoned professionals from the life sciences ecosystem helping them to refine their business strategies and effectively raise capital. The program fosters an organic community of entrepreneurs where awardees could collaborate with like-minded leaders sharing experiences, ideas, and a sense of belonging. The four companies selected as awardees through the eighth cohort of the MassNextGen program represent a wide range of applications to advance innovative technologies in life sciences and improve public health.
MassNextGen awardees include:
- Jean Pham, MS: Jean is the Co-Founder and CEO of Cellens, pioneering an AI-driven mechanobiology platform, BioFeel™, to bring clarity and comfort to cancer monitoring.
- Sophia Letcher, PhD: Sophia is the Co-Founder and CEO of EntoCellular, developing high-quality animal protein through innovative insect cell cultivation, offering a sustainable, cruelty-free alternative to farmed animal protein for pets.
- Núria Puigmal Domínguez, PhD: Núria is the Founder and CSO of Lybra Bio, developing next-generation platforms aimed at treating autoimmune skin disorders with precision and long-lasting results.
- Mengdie Wang, PhD: Mengdie Wang is the Co-Founder and CEO of RedPoint Oncology, building a new payload class for targeted cancer therapies, designed to eliminate therapy-resistant tumors where current treatments fail.
In addition to Johnson & Johnson, MassNextGen industry sponsors also include Anchor Platinum Sponsor, Takeda, as well as ABI-LAB, Berkshire Innovation Center, Cambridge Scientific Labs, Hatch.Bio, InnoVenture Labs, Labshares, Massachusetts Biomedical Initiatives, M2D2, Mansfield Bio-Incubator, Portal Innovations, and the UMass Boston Venture Development Center.
“Johnson & Johnson is proud to support the MassNextGen Initiative and its work to accelerate the growth of emerging life science companies,” said Fiona Mack, Johnson & Johnson’s Head of East North America, External Scientific Innovation. “This year’s awardees reflect the bold thinking and scientific excellence that keep Massachusetts at the forefront of global biotech innovation. By supporting early-stage entrepreneurs, we can help advance groundbreaking ideas, strengthen the local ecosystem, and drive forward new solutions with the potential to improve health outcomes for patients everywhere.”
“MassNextGen is an inspiring initiative advancing inclusive innovation and economic growth in Massachusetts, showing us all what effective public-private partnership looks like,” said Takeda’s President of U.S. Business Unit and U.S. Country Head Rhonda Pacheco. “Takeda has supported the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center’s program since the very beginning. And by investing in the next generation of entrepreneurs, including this new cohort of awardees, we’re continuing our commitment to keep the Commonwealth at the forefront of global life sciences and make a real difference in patients’ lives.”
Since its founding in 2018, the MassNextGen portfolio has grown to 39 companies, including 19 previous awardees that have raised a seed or series A financing round. To date, MassNextGen companies have raised more than $401 million in follow-on funding.
Applications for the next round of the MassNextGen Initiative will open on March 16. Early-stage life sciences entrepreneurs from underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to learn more through the program’s webpage.
Statements of Support:
“MassNextGen plays a critical role in strengthening Massachusetts’ life sciences ecosystem by giving emerging founders the resources, mentorship, and connections they need to succeed,” said Dan Diggins, Vice President of Marketing and Operations at ABI-LAB. “At ABI-LAB, we see firsthand how programs like this help early-stage companies translate promising science into real-world impact.”
“Programs like MassNextGen demonstrate the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center’s commitment to building a life sciences ecosystem that reaches every corner of the Commonwealth and supports founders from all backgrounds,” said Ben Sosne, Executive Director of the Berkshire Innovation Center. “We’re proud to contribute as a regional partner, connecting entrepreneurs to the networks and resources they need to grow and succeed.”
“Being part of the coaching and mentorship supporting the MassNextGen founders has been incredibly inspiring,” said Cambridge Scientific Labs. “The vision, clarity, and passion these entrepreneurs bring to their work reflect the strength of Massachusetts’ life sciences ecosystem and the bright future ahead for innovation in medicine.”
“We’re excited to support the MassNextGen Initiative and the entrepreneurs in this year’s cohort,” said Hatch.Bio Labs. “As part of Massachusetts’ life sciences community, we see every day how critical early infrastructure and access are for founders building their first companies. Hatch.Bio Labs is an operational platform designed to help biotech startups boot up quickly and efficiently, with scalable lab and office space, an integrated vivarium, and collocated core equipment. We’re proud to partner with MLSC in expanding opportunity and supporting the next generation of life sciences entrepreneurs.”
“The MassNextGen awardees are tackling unmet medical needs with bold, innovative approaches,” said Philip Borden, CEO of Labshares. “We’re proud to provide the lab infrastructure and day-to-day support that helps them to advance their science.”
“MassNextGen and BioInc (Mansfield Bio-Incubator) share one critical mission – to expand the reach of scientific innovation into the traditionally underserved realms such as the pool of entrepreneurs and the locations within the State of Massachusetts respectively,” said Alexander Margulis, PhD, Chief Operating Officer at Mansfield Bio-Incubator. “We are happy to foster this partnership with the ultimate goal of commercialization of more scientific breakthroughs.”
“MBI is proud to support the MassNextGen program, which plays a critical role in empowering new startup and early-stage company CEO’s to expand the success of our ecosystem. We’ve seen firsthand how this initiative helps build connections, provide resources, and accelerate growth for companies across the region, and we’re excited to continue partnering with MLSC to strengthen the life sciences ecosystem in Massachusetts,” said Jon Weaver, President and CEO of Massachusetts Biomedical Initiatives (MBI).
“At M2D2, we deeply value our partnership with the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center and appreciate the shared commitment to strengthening the next generation of life sciences innovators,” said Mary Ann Picard, Executive Director for Innovation and New Ventures at UMass Lowell.
“The Venture Development Center at UMass Boston has featured and supported multiple MassNextGen companies which have brought transformative innovations to the market,” said Shubhro Sen, PhD, Executive Director of the Venture Development Center. “We are very pleased to continue our sponsorship of the MassNextGen initiative and to join the MLSC in being the enabling forces behind their future success.”
About the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center
The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) is a quasi-public economic development and 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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