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News from the life sciences and technology sectors north of Boston

December 2024

BostInno reports today that VentureWell, a Hadley, MA-based nonprofit organization advancing science and technology innovation and entrepreneurship, has launched a new Ocean Enterprise Accelerator program. Funded by a $54 million grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the program will support ocean-based climate resilience and ocean enterprise innovations.


The accelerator will target 15-20 startups in each of two annual cohorts over the next three years, and will scale its efforts to support up to 220 ventures through a structured, four-stage program. Participants will gain access to entrepreneurial training, expert mentorship, Technology Development and Commercialization awards, and state-of-the-art testing facilities by its partners around the country.

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Two Cummings leasing clients were named to the 2025 Forbes 30 Under 30 list. Mohammad Alkhadra, Ph.D., founder of Lithios (196 Boston Avenue, Medford) was recognized in the Energy & Green Tech category, and Michelle Chao, co-founder of Phoenix Tailings (8 Henshaw Street, Woburn) is profiled in the Manufacturing & Industry category.


Lithios is commercializing a new electrochemical platform to produce sustainable, low-cost lithium from vast untapped resources. Phoenix Tailings is harvesting rare earth metals -- needed for electric vehicles and other electric devices -- from waste products with zero direct carbon emissions or toxic byproducts. Congratulations to these impressive cleantech innovators!

Rgenta Therapeutics (300 TradeCenter, Woburn) has announced that it has entered into a multi-year, multi-target strategic research alliance with GSK. The alliance aims to advance the discovery and development of novel RNA-targeted small molecule splice modulators for multiple disease areas, including oncology.


Rgenta is a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering the development of a new class of oral small molecules targeting RNA for oncology and neurological disorders.


Simon Xi, Ph.D., the company's co-founder and CEO, said in a press release, "This alliance further validates the potential of Rgenta's small molecule RNA-targeting drug discovery platform. Together we have the potential to accelerate the development of a new class of medicines that can provide new therapeutic options for patients."

Endolytix Technology's CSO, Jason Holder, Ph.D., and collaborator Richard Slayden, Ph.D. of Colorado State University have been published in peer-reviewed Future Microbiology.


The article focuses on Endolytix’s drug development program to change the paradigm of how non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infections are treated. The Endolytix approach is patient focused, designed for targeted drug delivery to infected host cells, and is made of all-natural ingredients in an attempt to limit unwanted toxicities that are one of the largest problems facing NTM treatments.


Read more.

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MIT spinout Active Surfaces, an innovative flexible solar panel startup, hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new manufacturing facility at 34 Commerce Way in Woburn. The company is pioneering the next generation of solar technology with its lightweight, flexible solar panels that can be integrated into virtually any surface. Unlike bulky traditional solar panels, Active Surfaces' technologies will seamlessly blend into everyday environments, from small consumer products that can go anywhere to large commercial, office, and industrial buildings.

Sunflower Therapeutics (200 Boston Avenue, Medford) has been named the "Lifescience Manufacturing Solution of the Year" in the 2024 BioTech Breakthrough Awards, which celebrates standout innovation in the global life sciences and biotechnology industries.


Sunflower's Daisy Petal perfusion bioreactor system was recognized for being a "revolutionary, scalable, and accessible solution for microbial protein production."


Applications are now open for MassBioDrive, an accelerator program designed to advance breakthrough science while providing opportunities to innovators from all parts of the life sciences ecosystem. Eligible candidates must have a therapeutic, biologic, or platform technology with potential to become the next big biotech startup, and have raised less than $1.5 million in equity-based funding, among other criteria.


The application deadline is January 17. Learn more.

Nominations are open until December 20 for Mass Technology Leadership Council's Tech Top 50 awards, recognizing the best innovators, innovations,

and companies in tech. Learn more and submit a nomination.

The 16th round of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) Tax Incentive program is now live. The program provides incentives to companies that are engaged in life sciences research and development, commercialization, and manufacturing in Massachusetts and that are looking to expand their efforts by creating new, long-term jobs in the Commonwealth. Since the program’s inception in 2009, 236 life sciences companies have been awarded $334 million in tax incentives.

 

The deadline to apply is February 19. Info sessions will be held on December 18 and January 13. Learn more.

ICYMI: Jon Chesto of The Boston Globe breaks down the $1 billion investment in the Commonwealth's climate tech sector via the Mass Leads Act, a new $4 billion economic development bill. Read more.

"...the centerpiece of this bill is a firehose of funds for clean-tech companies, to super-charge the quasi-public Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and the sector it supports. Our state should be the industry leader, [Economic development secretary Yvonne] Hao says, similar to how we lead in life sciences — by harnessing the considerable brainpower here to solve tough problems and stay at the forefront of new technologies."

Photo: David L. Ryan, The Boston Globe

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InnoVenture Labs (100 Cummings Center, Beverly) welcomes Kibur Medical to its incubator community. Kibur has engineered an innovative, tumor-implanted, drug-eluting NanoNail™ for simultaneous in situ molecular profiling of tumor response to up to 20 different individual oncology drugs and drug combinations.

C2i (299 Washington Street, Woburn) now offers the fully loaded RevVICTOR™ Nivo™ multimode plate reader along with drug discovery reagents AlphaLISA, HTRF, LANCE, DELFIA, and luminescence. The instrument is available for use in the C2i common lab.


Join Revvity on Wednesday, January 8 from noon to 1:00 PM for a lunch seminar followed by a hands-on instrument training and immunoassay demo. Register.

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Have you tried to find mentors, peers, and other women in the life and/or applied sciences field who share similar challenges, obstacles, and frustrations? North Shore Technology Council and InnoVenture Labs invite you to join us to meet, network, and share experiences with other women in scientific fields. This informal conversation is open to anyone in leadership, science and engineering, or a support role in the life sciences, biotechnology, applied sciences, or clean tech industries. Meet others in related scientific fields, form connections, and talk openly about the things you face every day being a woman in a tech world. Tuesday, January 14, 4:00 - 6:00 PM. $15/members, $25/non-members. Register.

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Growing Out of Incubator?

Small Lab Available in Woburn Technology Corridor

34 Commerce Way, Woburn

Suite B-170 (new construction) | 933 SF

View Floor Plan

Located at Cummings' Emerging Tech Center at 34 Commerce Way, this suite includes access to a common lounge, huddle rooms, and shared conference room. Dedicated office space is available as needed.

Lab features include:

  • Fume hood
  • Lab sink with point-of-use acid neutralization tank
  • Tissue culture room
  • Equipment area
  • Emergency eyewash station
  • Double-door entry to lab and storage area

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.

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Debunking Myths: The Truth About Buying from a Lab Equipment Reseller

Contributed by Brook Cote, Surplus Solutions


Buying lab equipment from a reseller can seem daunting, and not all resellers are the same. Surplus Solutions focuses on maximizing the value of your investment through a vast, high-quality inventory and expert support. Despite persistent misconceptions about buying from resellers, there are real advantages of partnering with a lab equipment reseller like Surplus Solutions.


Myth 1: Equipment from Resellers is Low Quality

Many people assume that lab equipment from resellers is inherently low quality. However, Surplus Solutions sources equipment from top biotech, pharmaceutical, and life sciences companies. By purchasing from a value-focused reseller, you can access newer models that may only be a few years old, providing excellent functionality at a fraction of the original cost.


Myth 2: Resellers Have Limited Availability

Contrary to popular belief, lab equipment resellers like Surplus Solutions maintain a vast and diverse inventory. Surplus Solutions continuously receives hundreds of new equipment pieces weekly, including lab, processing, and packaging equipment.


Myth 3: No After-Sale Support

Surplus Solutions currently sells equipment “as-is,” meaning it has been thoroughly inspected and checked. The expertise of our knowledgeable in-house engineering team, combined with transparent information about product conditions, ensures that buyers can make informed decisions.


Buying from a lab equipment reseller offers more than just a good deal; it provides a strategic advantage for labs seeking to maximize their investment. With a focus on high-quality, varied inventory, expert guidance, and a commitment to flexibility, Surplus Solutions helps labs navigate the complex landscape of lab equipment acquisition. Labs can confidently consider this option as a viable, value-driven solution for their equipment needs.

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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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