News from the life sciences community north of Boston
June 2022
Yesterday, Food and Drug Administration advisors voted unanimously to recommend authorization of Moderna and Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccines for children age 5 and under. Pfizers three-shot vaccine would cover children 6 months through 4 years, while Moderna's two-shot vaccine would be available for children 6 months through 5 years. The FDA is expected to grant emergency use authorization to the vaccines by next week. Read more in The New York Times.
MassBio Releases 2022 Massachusetts Life Sciences Workforce Analysis Report
Earlier this month, MassBio released a new research report identifying workforce needs, expectations, and challenges across the Commonwealth's life sciences industry.

Based on input from 129 biopharma companies, the 2022 Massachusetts Life Sciences Workforce Analysis Report shows that 78 percent expect to grow their workforce over the next 12 months with both entry- and non-entry-level new hires. Most have experienced difficulty in filling open positions during the last year.
The report offers specific short-term interventions and long-term strategies to inform how the life sciences ecosystem can supply a workforce to meet the industry's anticipated growth. Learn more about the report's findings and MassBio's efforts to improve access to careers in the life sciences for underrepresented and disadvantaged populations.
OpenBiome will soon move to its new lab and office suite at 400 West Cummings Park, Woburn. Founded by a team of doctors, scientists, and public health advocates, the nonprofit organization is dedicated to expanding safe access to fecal microbiota transplants (FMT) and to catalyzing research into the human microbiome.
Julie Barrett O'Brien is OpenBiome's executive director.
Biose Industrie, a drug-GMP certified CDMO for clinical and commercial products, is preparing to occupy its new 2,400 SF lab and office space at 12 Gill Street, Woburn. The company focuses on health through the microbiota, including product development, and clinical and commercial manufacturing of Live Biotherapeutic Products (LBPs). Nadine Daou, Ph. D. (left) is U.S. head of R&D and operations. Adrien Nivoliez, Ph.D, MBA, is CEO.
Anagenex (10 Roessler Road, Woburn), a pre-clinical biotechnology innovator advancing drug discovery through its small molecule directed evolution platform, announced last week it closed a $30 million Series A financing round. Read more in Endpoints News about the company's plans to build a robust pipeline of programs addressing historically challenging unmet medical needs.
"At Anagenex we've built a closed-loop iterative system inspired by evolution that alternates between massive lab experiments and next-generation, machine learning-powered predictions so we can deliver novel small molecule medicines faster."

CEO
Anagenex
North Shore InnoVentures (100 Cummings Center, Beverly) welcomes new member MeridaSKIN Labs. Founded by Shannon Johnson, a nurse practitioner with rosacea, the company specializes in fielding evidence-based products to address common but underserved skin problems.
NSIV member Glycologix, an emerging biotechnology company targeting locally delivered biopolymers for the protection of soft tissues, recently announced the closing of an up-sized seed financing round. The company will continue to advance its biopolymer platform in the indication of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS), an underserved condition impacting millions.
The 2022 ISPE Biotechnology Conference will bring together leading pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical manufacturers, technology providers, academic scientists, and international regulators to network, share insights, and provide an outlook on the evolving landscape and future of Biopharmaceutical manufacturing and therapeutics. June 28 - 30 at the Westin Copley Place, Boston. Register.
Join the NSTC Board and members from across its BioSciences, Technology, and Sustainability groups for a relaxing evening of food, drink, and fun aboard the Finback, Mahi Cruises' private 50-foot sightseeing boat. Thursday, July 14 at 5:00 PM. Learn more and register.
The MassBio 2022 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Conference, an in-person and virtual event, will be held at the MassBio Hub. Thursday, July 21 from 1:00 to 6:00 PM. Register.
Phase 3 Emerging Tech Center Labs | Beverly
2,000 - 11,500 SF Labs Available October 2022
Construction is underway for Phase 3 BSL1 BSL2 and general chemistry labs, located just off Route 128 at 48 Dunham Ridge in Beverly. Contact a Cummings lab specialist at beverlyleasing@cummings.com or 978-922-9000. Features include:
  • Ceiling-mounted exhaust drops and electrical feeds
  • Shared kitchen and conference room
  • Make-up air and exhaust systems
  • Acid neutralization tanks at sinks
  • Solvent and acid storage
  • Chemical fume hood(s)
Cummings Foundation Announces
2022 $25 Million Grant Program Recipients
Cummings Foundation recently announced the 140 local nonprofit organizations selected to receive grants of $100,000 to $500,000 each as part of the annual Cummings $25 Million Grant Program.

Among the recipients sharing in $25 million in awards are a number of organizations supporting STEM education and workforce development for the life sciences industry, including Cambridge College, Life Science Consortium of the North Shore, and MassBioEd Foundation. View the complete list of grant winners.
In addition, Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology recently received a $12.5 million grant from Cummings Foundation to develop new programs to meet the workforce needs of the region's leading industries.
Have news to share? Please let us know! We are interested in company news, personnel changes, product launches, funding updates, events, and more. Contact Sue Howland, client engagement manager, at svh@cummings.com to share your news for upcoming newsletters. We look forward to hearing from you.
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