News from the life sciences and technology sectors north of Boston | |
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Three years ago, we had the idea to put together a newsletter to highlight the many innovative companies, thought leaders, and events north of the city. There is a lot more to the Massachusetts technology ecosystem than Boston and Cambridge, and this monthly update is designed to highlight activity in the active suburban clusters. Every month, we're delighted with how much news there is to share.
Our thanks to Ben Bradford, head of external affairs for MassBio, for providing this month's guest perspective. Do you have material to share that our readers will appreciate, or know someone who would enjoy being added to our mailing list? Please contact me with your suggestions. - Sue Howland, Client Engagement Manager
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Earlier today, Endpoints News reported that Lexington-based TRIANA Biomedicines entered a new partnership with Pfizer to discover novel molecular glue degraders for multiple disease targets, including oncology. The companies announced TRIANA will get $49 million upfront and could receive more than $1.5 billion in potential milestone payments.
TRIANA president and CEO Patrick Trojer, Ph.D., told Endpoints "Nobody has yet cracked how to, in a systematic way, make molecular glue degraders. Everybody’s learning as we’re going and so the Pfizer collaboration will afford us with the opportunity to broaden that learning experience.”
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Unravel Biosciences recently celebrated the opening of its new 3,000 SF lab and office location at 196 Boston Avenue in Medford. Among those in attendance were Kendalle Burlin O'Connell, CEO of MassBio (left), and Richard Novak, CEO of Unravel (holding ribbon, right of center).
Unravel, a spinoff from the Wyss Institute at Harvard, is working to transform the paradigm of drug development by clinically de-risking new targets using existing drugs. Read more about the company and its decision to move from a UMass Boston incubator to Medford in this article by Boston Business Journal reporter Hannah Green (subscription required).
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Another newcomer to 196 Boston Avenue is Lithios, a developer of electrochemical lithium extraction technology, which recently announced that it has secured $12 million to scale its platform to unlock sources of lithium previously considered uneconomical and inaccessible.
Mo Alkhadra, Ph.D. (left) is co-founder and CEO of Lithios. Martin Z. Bazant, Ph.D. (right) is co-founder and chief scientist.
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Congratulations to Emvolon for opening a 5,000 SF leading-edge testing and development center at 30 Sixth Road in Woburn. Having proved its technology at MIT, with a strong patent portfolio, Emvolon needed its own space to accelerate the company's journey toward commercialization. The company converts greenhouse gas emissions into green methanol and green ammonia, helping industries like maritime, aviation, energy, waste management, and agriculture power the global economy without emissions.
Emvolon just announced a collaboration with Montauk Renewables, Inc., an energy company specializing in the management, recovery, and conversion of biogas from waste into renewable natural gas. Leveraging Emvolon’s patented technology, the initial pilot is a commercial-scale demonstration of recovering and converting biogas into green methanol, which is expected to take place at Montauk’s renewable gas production site at a landfill in Humble, Texas.
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Shiv Bhakta, co-founder and CEO of Active Surfaces (34 Commerce Way, Woburn), discussed his career journey and the influence of an early mentor in unlocking his potential in an interview with Forbes. Shiv, recognized on the Forbes "30 Under 30 - Energy" list, shifted from the fossil fuel industry to addressing climate change with innovation in the solar industry. Co-founded by Richard Swartwout, Ph.D., Active Surfaces is developing lightweight, flexible solar panels that can be seamlessly integrated into the built environment.
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In a recent op-ed in The Boston Globe, Alex Rappaport, CEO of ZwitterCo (12 Cabot Road, Woburn), raised awareness about the urgent need to address global water scarcity.
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"As the 'easy water' we have long relied upon — rivers, lakes, and groundwater — dwindles, and as demand continues to grow, we must turn to less conventional options, such as industrial wastewater and other difficult-to-access or lower-quality water sources."
Alex Rappaport
CEO, ZwitterCo
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Rgenta Therapeutics (300 TradeCenter, Woburn) has begun a clinical study targeting solid tumors adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) and colorectal cancers (CRC) with it’s first-in-class oral small molecule.
In a press release, co-founder and CEO Simon Xi, Ph.D. said, "We are excited to move our first asset into the clinic which is a significant milestone for Rgenta, and to work with a group of world-class clinicians on this trial. At Rgenta, we have established a platform to discover and develop small molecule RNA targeting medicines with the goal of unlocking the therapeutic potential of historically undruggable targets in human diseases, and we look forward to establishing a robust pipeline of clinical assets."
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At the recent National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN) Conference in Orlando, Clinical Applications Specialist Sharla Hassing of Little Sparrows Technologies (Tower Office Park, Woburn), demonstrated how its neonatal phototherapy and developmental care solutions help nurses provide the best care to jaundiced babies. | |
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The Termeer Foundation is a nonprofit organization working to connect the world of healthcare innovators until every patient has a cure. The Foundation is committed to ensuring the inclusiveness of its network, particularly in recognition of the underrepresentation of women, people with disabilities, LGBTQIA+, and Black, Brown, and Indigenous People of Color at the CEO level within the biopharmaceutical industry.
The deadline to apply to the 2025 Termeer Fellows program is November 12. The program includes skill competency growth, executive coaching, network building, and mentoring, all intended to facilitate connections, break down silos, strengthen skillsets, and ultimately enable a diverse array of current and future biotech leaders.
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Cummings was proud to sponsor the third annual North Shore Technology Council Women in Technology Forum last week. The event featured a keynote by UMass Lowell Chancellor Julie Chen and an inspiring panel discussion with women in the technology, life sciences, and clean tech industries. | |
Left to right: Liz Graham, CEO, Ada IQ; Louise Kennedy, founding attorney, West Hill Technology Counsel; Amanda Wagner, Ph.D., CEO, Immunitas Therapeutics, Martha Farmer, Ph.D., EVP and board member, VirTech Bio; Elise Strobach, Ph.D., co-founder and CEO, AeroShield Materials; Julie Chen, Ph.D., chancellor, UMass Lowell; and Gene Wong, Ph.D., dean of science and technology for Endicott College and NSTC president. | |
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There's still time to participate in MassBioEd's 9th Annual Champions for Biotechnology Education Awards Gala, celebrating the exceptional "Champions of Biotechnology Education."
The event is an opportunity to connect with passionate professionals, celebrate the champions in the life sciences industry, and contribute to the movement driving biotechnology education forward. October 17, 6:00 - 9:00 PM. Register.
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Now in its fifth year, the Greentown Labs Climatetech Summit is the ultimate celebration of climate-focused entrepreneurship and innovation. Climatetech entrepreneurs are developing the solutions that are the core of global decarbonization, yet they need support and partnership from investors, corporates, policymakers, and the growing climatetech workforce in order to scale their critical technologies. Throughout the event, Greentown Labs will shine a spotlight on the momentum its startups, corporate partners, and ecosystem champions have been building together, how these collaborations will chart the course for climatetech deployment, and how everyone can play a role in commercializing climate technologies. October 24, 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM. View the agenda and register.
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Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute's Workforce Development Conference will take place November 21. The program will feature a keynote by Jo Viney, Ph.D., CEO, president, and co-founder of Seismic Therapeutics. Read more. | |
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MassBio’s Vision 2030 roadmap for biopharma in Massachusetts
By Ben Bradford, Head of External Affairs, MassBio
MassBio’s five-year strategic plan—Vision 2030—is a framework outlining a series of ambitious goals to further Massachusetts’ status as the world’s premier life sciences hub. To take advantage of opportunities for growth and address challenges, this roadmap is organized across four catalysts:
1. The Early-Stage Catalyst focuses on supporting early-stage biotech companies and their founders/executives, the lifeblood of the ecosystem and originators of innovation. By building on existing programs, we can help founders access capital, expertise, and operational resources so that startups can scale and advance their science toward patients.
2. To diversify and enrich funding sources, the Funding Catalyst lays out ways to facilitate connections between startups and a broader range of high-quality investors, including non-traditional ones. By simplifying funding processes and offering education to potential investors, MassBio can expand the investor base and achieve more equitable access to capital.
3. To ensure Massachusetts life sciences workforce remains our state’s calling card, the Talent Catalyst identifies opportunities to align programs with regional industry needs, enhance pathways into entry-level positions, and cultivate a pipeline of executive talent.
4. In the Social Impact Catalyst, we emphasize the need to advocate for life sciences priorities and improve public understanding of the industry’s impact. By engaging policymakers and promoting biomanufacturing, we can strengthen Massachusetts’ competitiveness and safeguard a supportive environment for innovation and job creation.
As regionalization has taken hold, MetroNorth has become a key cluster outside of Cambridge and Boston. MassBio looks forward to continuing our collaboration with regional stakeholders to act on these catalysts and fortify Massachusetts’ position as a global leader in biotechnology.
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5,500 SF Woburn Lab and Office Coming November 1 | |
Join established and emerging biotechnology companies in the Woburn life sciences cluster just off I-95 near the I-93 interchange. The area features numerous dining and shopping amenities, including the nearby Woburn Village lifestyle center, and is just one mile from Anderson Regional Transportation Center. | |
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8 Cabot Road, Woburn
Suites 3400 & 3800
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- Corner unit
- 100% outside make-up air
- Two 6' chemical fume hoods
- Emergency shower/eyewash station
- Break room
- Ample natural light
- 5- and 15-gallon point-of-use acid neutralization tanks
- Vacuum pump
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- Air compressor
- BL2 compliant construction with vinyl-faced ceiling tiles, epoxy-painted walls, and VCT floor
- Metal casework with resin countertops and reagent shelving
- Process piping
- Double-door loading
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Do you know someone who might be interested in this space? Call or text John Halsey at 781-983-2214 or email jrh@cummings.com. | |
A sampling of the dozens of life sciences neighbors in Woburn: | |
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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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