Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1496515
Central MA Life Sciences Report 3 Science! YEAH!! O f all the buzzy industries U.S. political leaders and economic development officials would like to build the future of their econo- mies around, the two most talked about are technology and life sciences. But this really isn't a fair fight anymore. The tech industry's mis- calculation that the pandemic economy would be the for- ever economy has led to widespread layoffs and a bank failure to go along with the compounding problems big tech already had about privacy and security. That means life sciences is the industry of the moment – with its high-pay- ing jobs, advanced research, and ability to address growing health problems. Central Massachusetts is well positioned to grow its life sciences sector with its proximity to the industry's leading global hub in Boston and Cambridge. Biotech, biomanufacturing, and bioengineering firms have called Central Mass. home for decades, even before Kendall Square was Kendall Square. This history matches with the region's mantra of being the affordable and nearby alternative to Greater Boston, providing a compelling argument why life sciences companies should set up shop here. All of this is why Worcester Business Journal launched a publication dedicated to this buzzy industry, with this inaugural Central MA Life Sciences Report. In the following pages, we delve into the current status of the industry, while taking a look at the ways life sciences has the potential to become the economic cornerstone envi- sioned by so many of the region's business and political leaders. Brad Kane, WBJ editor Editor, Brad Kane Staff Writers Timothy Doyle Kevin Koczwara Isabel Tehan Research Director Stephanie Meagher Research Assistant Heide Martin Production Director Kira Beaudoin Art Director, Mitchell Hayes Senior Accounts Managers Christine Juetten Mary Lynn Bosiak Yasmin Nasrullah Marketing & Events Manager Kris Prosser Publisher, CEO, Peter Stanton Associate Publisher, Mark Murray Central MA Life Sciences Report is published by New England Business Media, LLC (parent company of Worcester Business Journal), 172 Shrewsbury Street, Worcester, MA 01604. NEWS CONTENT • FEATURE: Plenty of room In their attempts to lure life sciences companies to Central Mass., developers are converting underutilized facilities and constructing from the ground up, offering to build-to-suit for large tenants while developing on spec based on a promise of industry growth. ................................................................................... 4 • MAP: BioReady communities Based on their ability to host biotechnology facilities, the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council rates 90 of the state's communities as BioReady, including 27 in Central Massachusetts. ................................... 9 • FEATURE: Building out a startup ecosystem Talent, research, and funding has been trickling westward out of the Cambridge life sciences hub, and industry leaders see Central Mass. primed for a deluge of growth in the coming decades. .................. 12 • LIST: Largest life sciences VC deals since 2018 .......................................................................... 15 • FEATURE: From gene therapy to alpacas to artificial intelligence Researchers across Central Mass. are leading development of cutting-edge ideas and therapies to provide the next generation of solutions to present and future problems. ......................................................... 20 • LIST: Top NIH grant winners .......................................................................................................... 25 • FEATURE: Major operations Large for-profit life sciences companies have called Central Mass. their home for decades. Now, they play an important role in bringing talent, investment, and research to the region. ....................................... 28 • CHARTS: Communities and companies with the most life sciences patents ....................... 29-30 • DIRECTORY: CROs, CDMOs, and life sciences support organizations.......................................... 36 SPONSORED CONTENT FROM OUR ADVERTISERS Maugel DeStefano Architects ........................................................................................................... 11 UMass Chan Medical School ............................................................................................................ 18 Marsh McLennan Agency ................................................................................................................. 26 4 LS WBJ 12 20 28