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News from the life sciences and technology sectors north of Boston

August 2024

Today, the FDA approved a nasal spray to treat severe allergic reactions. The product, called neffy, is the first needle-free alternative to shots like EpiPen. San Diego-based drugmaker ARS Pharmaceuticals developed neffy to treat anaphylaxis in adults and children who are at least 66 pounds.


Associated Press reports that neffy could upend treatment for the 33 million to 45 million Americans with severe allergies to food and other triggers. According to AP, anaphylaxis sends more than 30,000 people to emergency rooms and results in more than 2,000 hospitalizations and more than 230 deaths in the U.S. each year.

With the recent closure of a Woburn semiconductor manufacturer, Heritage Global Partners will host a public online auction of late-model semiconductor and lab equipment.


The auction will be held Thursday, August 15 at 7:00 AM to Friday, August 16 at 12:00 PM. An advance viewing open house will take place Wednesday, August 14, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, at 25-D Olympia Avenue, Woburn.


Items for auction include:


  • KLA-Tencor Surfscan 6420 Defect Inspection System
  • Tokyo Electron Clean Track ACT12 Coater/ Developer
  • Complete Neptune Wet Processing Suite
  • Angstrom TFProbe Spectroscopic Ellipsometer
  • (2) Quartz KS-42A Liquid Particle Counter
  • And many more items


For information and product details, visit HGP online. This is not a Cummings-hosted event.

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Spear Bio (100 TradeCenter, Woburn) recently announced the successful closing of its $45 million Series A financing. The oversubscribed round was co-led by Foresite Capital and Bio-Techne Corporation, with additional participation from existing investors, including Maverick Ventures, Yonjin Capital, and CDH Investments. Dr. Feng Xuan, Ph.D., co-founder and CEO of Spear, said, "This funding will allow us to accelerate our assay menu expansion and commercial offerings to solve challenges in protein research and early disease diagnostics.” Read more.

Rgenta Therapeutics (300 TradeCenter, Woburn) is pioneering the development of a new class of oral small molecules targeting RNA and RNA regulation for oncology and neurological disorders. The biotech firm recently announced the clearance of its Investigational New Drug application (IND) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for RGT-61159, which is being developed for the potential treatment of adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC), colorectal cancer (CRC), and other solid tumors as well as acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Preclinical data supporting the clinical trial were recently presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting. Learn more.

Myrobalan Therapeutics (200 Boston Avenue, Medford) is developing novel oral small-molecule therapies to repair damage and restore brain function in high-unmet need central nervous system (CNS) conditions. The biotechnology company has appointed Grant C. Bogle to its board of directors. Mr. Bogle is a seasoned biotech executive with more than three decades of operational experience in the biopharma industry and a strong focus on financial strategy, business development, corporate governance, and general management. Read more.

Tobin Scientific (100 Cummings Center, Beverly) has completed the acquisition of BioRepository Resources, LLC (BRR). The acquisition will enhance Tobin's service offerings in the biopharmaceutical storage sector and expand its industry footprint. Tobin offers comprehensive cold chain solutions and laboratory relocation services, and serves a diverse clientele across the life sciences, academic, and government sectors. Read more.

InnoVenture Labs (100 Cummings Center, Beverly) hosted the Life Sciences Consortium of the North Shore (LSCNS) July advisory board meeting. In this unique gathering, LSCNS brings together industry leaders on the North Shore, representatives of State funding agencies, and academic leaders from its own consortium to discuss the skills and training needed to enter the life sciences industry.


The consortium includes Endicott College, Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical School, Gordon College, Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute, InnoVenture Labs, North Shore Community College, and Salem State University.

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Cummings is delighted to host speed networking with Middlesex 3 Coalition, Woburn Chamber of Commerce, and Mass Innovation Network on Thursday, August 22. The event will offer the opportunity to mix and mingle, create new connections, and explore collaboration possibilities. It is meant to be a casual way to meet a number of people quickly. Please join us at 9:00 AM at 500 West Cummings Park, Suite 2350, Woburn. Register.

Cell Signaling Technology will host North Shore Technology Council's September mixer. Network with others involved in the life sciences, technology, and sustainability industries. Change is Simple, a nonprofit organization dedicated to instilling lifelong social and environmental responsibility through experiential climate learning that inspires action, will be on hand with its SCiLL mobile lab and classroom. Thursday, September 26, 5:00 - 7:30 PM, Cell Signaling Technology, Danvers. Register.

Join Greentown Labs to learn about career opportunities with its community of world-changing climatetech startups. The Greentown Boston 2024 Career Fair, put on in partnership with Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN²) supports climatetech startups as they develop their technologies, scale their businesses, and grow their teams. Thursday, September 12, 4:30 - 6:30 PM, 444 Somerville Ave., Somerville. Learn more and register.

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Woburn Lab with Clean Room

COMING SOON - Cummings is pleased to offer a 16,000 SF lab with Class 100 clean room. Join the Woburn clean tech, battery science, and life sciences innovation cluster, just moments from I-95 at the intersection of I-93. Nearby Woburn Village features popular restaurants, fast casual dining, shopping, and new-construction apartments.

25 Olympia Avenue, Woburn

Suites B, C, D, E, T, U, and V

View Floor Plan

Key Features Include:

  • Class 100 cleanroom
  • 12 chemical fume hoods
  • Gowning room
  • Server room
  • Battery back-up power
  • Process piping for nitrogen and compressed air
  • Hazardous waste storage and satellite accumulation areas
  • Machine shop with vacuum pumps and compressors
  • Exterior pad (includes a leased nitrogen tank)

Interested? Call or text John Halsey at 781-983-2214 or email sales@cummings.com.

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If you are a startup ready to transform your innovative hardware idea into a tangible product, your first interaction with a supplier is a crucial step that can set the tone for your entire production process. Our friends at FORGE share these tips to ensure success.

Know Your Specs: Be clear about your product specifications. Detailed, accurate information will help suppliers understand your needs and provide precise quotes.

Understand Your Volume Needs: Have an estimate of your production volume. Whether you're starting small or planning for large-scale production, knowing your numbers helps in negotiating terms.

Be Ready to Discuss Budget: Suppliers need to know your budget constraints to offer feasible solutions. Transparency here can lead to more productive discussions.

Prepare for Your First Meeting: Come prepared with a clear agenda and a list of questions. This shows you're serious and organized, setting the tone for a productive relationship.

Professionalism Matters: Ensure all your communications are clear, concise, and professional. This includes emails, phone calls, and in-person meetings. First impressions count, and professionalism can set you apart.

Build Relationships: Treat your suppliers as partners. A strong relationship can lead to better collaboration, problem-solving, and mutual growth.

 

FORGE is here to support your journey from concept to production. Its network of suppliers is ready to help bring your innovative ideas to life. Read more and follow FORGE on LinkedIn.

Editor's Note: Contributed content is welcome! Please contact Sue Howland to share your suggested topic for a guest article.

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We welcome your feedback on this newsletter and invite readers to share company news, personnel changes, product launches, funding updates, events, and more. Contact Sue Howland, client engagement manager, at svh@cummings.com to offer your news for upcoming newsletters. We look forward to hearing from you.

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