BioSpace’s Genetown Hotbed highlights life sciences companies in Massachusetts. Boston is the area in the U.S. most densely populated with life sciences companies. As of 2020, there was a total of 3,895,215 square feet of laboratory space under construction in the area, according to the “Boston Life Sciences 2020” report.
Nine out of the top 10 biopharma companies listed in the report, participate in the MLSC’s Internship Challenge program. The program enhances the talent pipeline for the Massachusetts life sciences industry by creating hundreds of new internship opportunities each year for college students and recent graduates interested in life sciences careers
Additionally, the following two companies received funding through the MLSC’s Milestone Achievement Program which addresses the needs of early-stage life sciences companies by providing grant funding to execute critical, value-creating technical milestones.
Versatope Therapeutics
Location: Lowell, MA
NIH Funding: $4,107,847
On September 9, 2020, Versatope Therapeutics was awarded a Phase I Small Business and Innovation Award from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), a division of the NIH, to develop a novel vaccine to prevent and treat Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infections. The company focuses on developing an immunotherapy platform using recombinant vesicles from probiotic bacteria.
Micro-Leads
Location: Somerville, MA
NIH Funding: $3,967,703
Micro-Leads focuses on developing innovative therapies that address the neuromodulation and bioelectronic medicine market. It is developing a high-resolution spinal cord stimulation therapy to treat chronic back and focal pains without opioids.
