Can New Biotech Innovation Prevent Type 2 Diabetes Epidemic in Advance?

Key Takeaways:

  • Stapgen is a start-up biotech company based in Boston, focused on thwarting the Type 2 diabetes pandemic.

  • Stapgen produces the STAP-test, a patented medical test kit that measures Intestinal Alkaline Phosphatase (IAP) to detect intestinal IAP deficiency (IAPD) and early symptoms of Type 2 diabetes.

  • With their IAP-panel, the risk level of developing Type 2 diabetes can be estimated far in advance, potentially aiding in disease prevention.

As countless people worldwide battle the incessant rise of Type 2 Diabetes, one groundbreaking start-up seems poised to turn the tide. Introducing Stapgen – a Boston-based biotech firm that’s making strides in potentially curtailing the Type 2 Diabetes epidemic. Established by Biplap Malo, Stapgen is tackling this global health crisis by confronting the precursor stages of diabetes.

Utilizing innovative technology and medical test kits, they’ve managed to identify key risk indicators for the condition in advance. Their core product, the STAP-test, has the ability to indicate potential health risks before the onset of life-threatening symptoms – a major game changer in the field of preventive medicine.

Stapgen’s offering is unique – and necessary. The STAP-test is a de novo patented method that measures Intestinal Alkaline Phosphatase (IAP) levels, a critical indicator for Intestinal Alkaline Phosphatase Deficiency (IAPD) and incipient Type 2 Diabetes. Thus, it addresses a previously unmet need in the healthcare field, allowing healthcare professionals and patients alike to take preventive steps against the disease.

But that’s not all. Stapgen’s main differentiator lies in its IAP-panel, which can forecast the risk level of developing Type 2 Diabetes in advance. By intercepting the pathogenesis in the lag phase between IAPD to full symptomatic Type 2 Diabetes, the possibility of preventing the disease entirely becomes significantly more plausible.

Within such a dynamic industry, the future for Stapgen looks positive. Their innovative approach could deter the increasing spread of diabetes, serving as a beacon of hope for all susceptible individuals. The potential to prevent rather than just manage the disease presents a remarkable leap for not just the biotech sphere, but the healthcare industry as a whole.

In an age where thousands grapple with the reality of Type 2 diabetes, companies like Stapgen who offer hope for the future, deserve the recognition. The journey of Stapgen can be followed on their website, as well as on other social platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Aclarity Secures $16M in Series A Funding to Deploy Low Energy PFAS “Forever Chemical” Destruction Solution

Mansfield, MA, November 2, 2023 – Aclarity, Inc., the leader in PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) “forever chemical” destruction, announced today the successful completion of its Series A funding round, raising $15.9 million. This funding round was led by Aqualateral, with participation from the HG Ventures, Bidra Innovation Ventures, Nor’easter Ventures, MassVentures, and Burnt Island Ventures. This latest round of funding builds upon a $3.3 million Seed round secured in 2022, propelling the company into an exciting new phase of commercial expansion and innovation.

PFAS, often referred to as “forever chemicals” due to their persistent nature in the environment, have become a major concern worldwide due to their detrimental impact on ecosystems and human health. Aclarity’s Octa™ system offers a sustainable solution for the complete eradication of PFAS contaminants, heralding a new era in wastewater treatment and environmental remediation for landfills, water and wastewater treatment plants, and industrial facilities – where PFAS is particularly prevalent.

Over the last year, Aclarity has deployed mobile systems with full-scale reactors across the country to destroy PFAS chemicals continuously. This has allowed the team to successfully treat PFAS in waters ranging from low ng/Ls in tap water, all the way to landfill leachate treated by foam fractionation with PFAS concentrations of milligrams per liter, including short-chain compounds like PFBS and demonstrating real time PFAS destruction in the field. Aclarity’s achievements have garnered the attention of groups such as Frost & Sullivan, who awarded Aclarity their Company of the Year Best Practices award for 2023 in the North American PFAS treatment industry. With the support of this investment, Aclarity has broadened its pipeline across several industries requiring PFAS destruction such as the waste industry as well as food and beverage manufacturing and the pulp and paper industry. The Series A funds will play a pivotal role in scaling up manufacturing and supply chain capabilities, further increasing market penetration, and advancing partnerships to address PFAS contamination challenges on a global scale.

“The industry is overwhelmingly demanding a solution to the PFAS problem, responding to existing and pending regulations. We are extremely grateful for the enthusiastic support from our investors and the confidence they have shown in our mission to combat the widespread issue of PFAS contamination,” said Julie Bliss Mullen, Founder and CEO of Aclarity. “The Series A funding is already enabling us to grow our team, build more PFAS destruction skids and bring them to more communities and industries, ultimately making a lasting positive impact on public health and the environment.”

Aclarity’s innovative approach to PFAS destruction has garnered attention and support from both investors and environmental advocates alike. The technology boasts several key advantages, including its cost-effectiveness, environmental safety, and efficiency in eliminating PFAS compounds, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional remediation methods.

“Aclarity has the potential to revolutionize the field of environmental remediation and solve one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. We are confident that they will deliver on this promise,” said Jiten Manglani, Aqualateral’s Chief Investment Officer. “The Aclarity team has the capacity and vision to deliver far-reaching transformative results to communities across the globe.”As Aclarity continues to make strides in the fight against PFAS pollution, the company remains committed to its core mission of destroying PFAS to safeguard the environment and public health. The Series A funding will be instrumental in driving Aclarity’s growth and accelerating the deployment of its groundbreaking technology to communities and industries in need.

For more information about Aclarity and its PFAS destruction technology, please visit

www.aclaritywater.com

 

About Aclarity Inc.

Aclarity is revolutionizing the elimination of persistent and hazardous “forever chemicals” known as PFAS, which accumulate in human and animal tissues and persist indefinitely in our environment. Aclarity’s Octa™ PFAS destruction systems employ innovative proprietary technology to disrupt the ongoing PFAS contamination cycle. The conventional approach for removing and disposing of PFAS has led to concentrated PFAS materials being reintroduced into the environment through methods like landfill disposal, incineration, and deep well disposal, recontaminating the air, soil, and water. PFAS compounds are inherently resilient due to their strong molecular bonds. Until now, the prevailing method of “remediating” PFAS has involved a perilous cycle of extraction and disposal, either by returning the extracted PFAS to landfills or by incinerating it and emitting toxic aerosols into the atmosphere. Aclarity’s technology employs electricity to sever the carbon and fluorine bonds that give PFAS compounds their durability, thus putting an end to the perpetual PFAS contamination cycle.

 

Media Contact:

Leanne Hersey

Vice President of Marketing, Aclarity

leanne.hersey@aclaritywater.com

Unsmudgeable Joins Mansfield Bio-Incubator Aiming to Revolutionize the Eye Care.

Those of us who wear glasses routinely struggle with keeping the eyewear clean thereby exerting additional strain on eyes which in turn affects quality of life and could worsen the eyesight. Unsmudgeable, our newest member company, is working on addressing this challenge.

Unsmudgeable is revolutionizing eyewear with the first permanent smudge-free lens coating. While current lens coatings cause oil from fingers to cluster on the lens surface, Unsmudgeable's innovative formula allows oil to spread evenly without obstructing vision. This creates a crystal clear viewing experience without the need for constant cleaning and lens wipes. Unsmudgeable's coating is also free of harmful PFAS chemicals found in many optical coatings today. Their non-toxic formula is safe for the environment and skin, while still providing durability and scratch resistance. As Unsmudgeable scales up production, this revolutionary coating will be applied during mass manufacturing of safety and prescription eyewear. By optimizing lens coatings for the first time, Unsmudgeable brings groundbreaking innovation that will change how we see and experience eyewear. The days of smudged and blurry vision are over thanks to Unsmudgeable's new technology.

In short time Unsmudgeable has been our member, the team made significant progress in advancing the research. "Mansfield Bio-Incubator's team has been extremely supportive in our work. They went extra mile to make sure that we are able to push our project ahead. Without their help, we would not have been able to advance our work as far as we did", said Swarnambika Shiv, Founder and CEO. 

Unsmudgeable is currently generating data to prepare for fundraising. The company is looking for a lead investor for the seed round. For more information, visit the website https://www.unsmudgeable.com or contact swarnambikashiv@unsmudgeable.com.

3Daughters™ Emerges as a Transformative Women’s Healthcare Company and Announces Key Leadership and Scientific Advisory Board Appointments

July 13, 2023 08:00 ET| Source: 3Daughters


3Daughters aims to uniquely address and fill major gaps in Women’s Health

Assembles experienced Women’s Health team and World Class SAB to advance development of novel long-acting reversible contraception technology

MANSFIELD, Mass., July 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --  3Daughters, an emerging clinical development company fueling evolutionary healthcare for women, announces key senior leadership appointments and the formation of a Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) to support the development of its lead asset (3D-001), a highly innovative and frameless intrauterine device (IUD) for contraception.

Women’s Health and associated research remains highly underserved but represents a significant market opportunity for improved treatment options for women around the globe. 3Daughters’ mission is to usher in a new era of refined and innovative Women’s Health products starting with an elegantly designed self-assembling IUD technology. With a unique frameless uterine delivery platform, 3Daughters expects to transform the rapidly growing IUD market in the US and address the need for improved contraceptive options and potentially lower the number of unintended pregnancies.

Research shows that IUDs are one of the most effective forms of contraception and tend to be women’s preferred choice. However, IUD insertion pain is common, and many women describe it as ‘severe to excruciating’. The current T-shaped framed IUDs (five approved in the US) have arms and dangling strings needed for removal and this outdated design has not changed significantly since first entering the US market in 1988.

3Daughters has addressed IUD insertion pain with a frameless self-assembling technology that is expected to be easily inserted into the uterus with a uniquely designed i-Glider™ for insertion and a simple magnetic retriever (r-Glider™) completes the process for removal. Both the IUD technology and Glider (inserter/retriever) system are patented. This sophisticated solution will overcome the major barrier to IUD adoption and take away the ‘fear factor’ for practitioners and patients relating to IUD insertion pain.

3Daughters has assembled a highly experienced Women’s Health team to drive the development plan forward for its lead product candidate, 3D-001, to enter the clinic next year. These key leadership roles and appointments are:

Dr. Gary Shangold named Chief Medical Officer (CMO) – Brings over three decades of medical, scientific and executive experience as a reproductive endocrinologist. He has held roles as CMO of Enteris BioPharma and Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals, and CEO of NovaDel Pharma. Dr. Shangold previously held senior roles in clinical research and regulatory affairs at RW Johnson Pharmaceutical R&D (J&J) and as Medical Director for Ob/Gyn/Infertility at Serono Labs.

Dr. Mary Mahony named Chief Scientific Advisor (CSA) – Seasoned medical affairs veteran with almost four decades of experience in reproductive medicine and endocrinology. Most recently, she was EMD Serono’s Vice President of Fertility and Endocrinology leading the medical team for pharmaceutical products and IVF laboratory medical devices. Her research focus includes human sperm pre-fertilization capacitation events on the cellular level, and she has extensive publication and journal credits in this field.

Dr. William Bracken named Head of Toxicology – Brings extensive toxicology and preclinical experience regarding drug safety having held senior roles at AbbVie as Director of Global Preclinical Safety and Chair of the Drug Safety Committee. Dr. Bracken also conducted expansive research at Oak Ridge National Labs, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the Midwest Research Institute focused on mechanisms of carcinogenicity.

In addition, the Company has engaged a group of eight Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) in Women’s Health as members of its Scientific Advisory Board:

David F. Archer, MD, Chair, 3Daughters, Scientific Advisory Board
Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology & Director of the Clinical Research Center, Eastern Virginia Medical School

Chanelle Coble-Sadaphal, MD
Chief, Division of Adolescent Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine

Tara Kumaraswami, MD, MPH
Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Associate Director, Ob/Gyn Residency Program
UMASS Chan Medical School

Siripanth Nippita, MD, MS
Chief, Division of Family Planning and Clinical Associate Professor, NYU Grossman School of Medicine

Mary Lake Polan, MD, PhD, MPH
Professor of Clinical Obstetrics, Gynecology, Reproductive Sciences, Yale University School of Medicine

David Turok, MD, MPH, FACOG
Chief, Division of Family Planning & Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Utah

James A. Simon, MD, CCD, NCMP, IF, FACOG
Past President, The International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health (ISSWSH)
Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, George Washington University

Carolyn Westhoff, MD
Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Health, Population, Family Health, and Epidemiology, Columbia University
Editor, Contraception

Mary Beth Cicero, Co-Founder and CEO of 3Daughters, commented, “The 3Daughters story is rapidly progressing with our new highly-experienced Senior Leadership team. It is my privilege to work alongside Drs. Shangold, Mahony and Bracken who will bring their collective Women’s Health expertise to every aspect of our clinical development program and rapidly advance our product candidate through regulatory approval. Like me and my Co-Founder, Shelley Amster, they are determined to bring more innovation to Women’s Health and address problems like IUD insertion pain that has been difficult to solve and neglected.”

“Also, we are extremely pleased to have the support and advice of a World-Class group of scientific thought leaders and clinicians as members of our Scientific Advisory Board who will help provide advice and guidance for our research and development efforts.”

Ms. Cicero added, “As we prepare to file our IND and complete our Phase 1 study next year, I am looking forward to the 3Daughters team delivering on our planned milestones. We are dedicated to Women’s Health and doing everything we can to bring innovation to this field, starting with our proprietary frameless IUD and Glider delivery system.”

Shelley Amster, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy and Growth Officer of 3Daughters stated “Women make up more than 50% of the global population, which means the target market for products focusing on their health is massive. Supporting innovation in female health doesn’t just benefit women, it helps everyone. Our primary mission at 3Daughters is to champion women and drive innovation and superior products that promote their health.”

Background on the 3Daughters Uterine Delivery Platform and IUD Solution

Invented at University of Massachusetts, Amherst by Dr. Carlos Gradil, a world renowned veterinary reproductive specialist, the 3Daughters frameless IUD is ‘simple, smart, and sophisticated’ based on physics and geometry. The patented magnetic technology self – assembles in the uterus into a stable triangular ‘ring’ conformation that adapts to the uterine environment. Dr. Gradil demonstrated the safety and contraceptive effectiveness of the self-assembling IUD technology in performance horses and this data has been published in peer-reviewed journals.

For more information on this trailblazing technology, visit the 3Daughters website: 3daughtershealth.com.

About 3DaughtersTM

3Daughters is an emerging company focused on evolutionary healthcare for women where attention is desperately needed with cutting-edge research and innovation. The Company is developing its lead product (3D-001), a frameless, magnetic, nonhormonal intrauterine device (IUD) for long-acting contraception, with a goal of radically transforming the IUD market by eliminating the major adoption barrier — insertion pain. This pain is associated with all current T-shape framed IUDs on the market and prevents women from selecting one of the most effective forms of birth control. Visit 3daughtershealth.com for more information.

Contact
Mary Beth Cicero
info@3daughtershealth.com

Original Source: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2023/07/13/2704296/0/en/3Daughters-Emerges-as-a-Transformative-Women-s-Healthcare-Company-and-Announces-Key-Leadership-and-Scientific-Advisory-Board-Appointments.html

Neuronity Therapeutics Secures $780k Grant from The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research

By: Neuronity Therapeutics, Inc.

BOSTON - July 3, 2023 - PRLog -- Neuronity Therapeutics, Inc., a pioneering biotech company focused on neurodegenerative diseases, is delighted to announce the receipt of a $780k grant in collaboration with the University of Georgia (UGA) from The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF). As the largest nonprofit foundation for Parkinson's disease, MJFF's Therapeutics Pipeline Program (TPP) aims to accelerate the development of therapeutic pipelines in partnership with academia and industry.

Neuronity has forged a collaboration with Dr. Jae-Kyung Lee, Associate Professor of Physiology and Pharmacology, at UGA to advance a research program aimed at restoring homeostasis of microglia, the residential immune cells in the brain affected by Parkinson's disease. This groundbreaking 18-month project will support Neuronity and UGA in validating a clinically applicable gene therapy utilizing Adeno-Associated Virus to upregulate target molecules in microglia. The innovative gene therapy holds a substantial potential to modify disease outcomes for Parkinson's disease patients.

"The grant from MJFF is a significant milestone for Neuronity in our therapeutic development journey, as well as an acknowledgment of the support from the esteemed shareholders in MJFF's community," expressed Hyun Joon Lee, PhD, Founder and CEO of Neuronity. "We are thrilled to have the opportunity to engage with these shareholders and collaborate with MJFF's staff for our upcoming fundraising efforts. The collaboration with Dr. Jae-Kyung Lee will ensure that we maintain a high standard of scientific research while progressing towards the clinical development of this therapy."

Through this grant, Neuronity will not only receive vital financial support but will also gain access to MJFF's extensive network of researchers and advisors, both within their community and among external partners. This invaluable network will provide valuable guidance and foster collaboration, further propelling Neuronity's mission to develop effective treatments for Parkinson's disease.

Neuronity is committed to making a positive impact on the lives of Parkinson's disease patients, and this grant from MJFF reaffirms their dedication to advancing innovative therapies. The company looks forward to the next phase of their research and development journey, working closely with MJFF, UGA, and their shareholders to bring about meaningful change in the field of neurodegenerative diseases.

About Neuronity Therapeutics, Inc.: Neuronity is a biotech company dedicated to revolutionizing the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. With a focus on age-related neurological disorders, such as Parkinson's disease, our cutting-edge gene and cell therapy programs aim to restore healthy immune cell function in aging brains. By targeting the root causes of these conditions, we strive to reduce the unmet needs of patients, families, and caregivers. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for individuals affected by neurodegenerative diseases through groundbreaking interventions and strategic collaborations. Neuronity accomplished the prestigious Fall 2022 Science Inc.™ Accelerator Program, hosted by the Innovation Space in Delaware and formed a team of exceptional scientists and enlisted the support of seasoned advisors. For more information, visit: www.neuronitytx.com or find us on LinkedIn at Neuronity Therapeutics, Inc.

Contact
Hyun Joon Lee, PhD
CEO
***@neuronitytx.com

Internship Offers experience Running Biotech Lab

Allison Darling ’26 poses in Phenomenex’s laboratory. The company is based in the Mansfield Bio-Incubator, a cooperative working space for science companies.

Allison Darling ’26, an aspiring doctor, gains valuable laboratory skills at Mansfield-based Phenomenex

Allison Darling is just beginning her Wheaton journey as a first-year student, but she already is gaining valuable laboratory skills that will give her an edge in a future career in medicine.

Since November 2022, Darling has served as an intern at Phenomenex, a California-based scientific company that has a laboratory in Mansfield, Mass. She has been learning essential aspects of running a lab: from managing inventory and safety procedures to gaining hands-on experience with techniques like instrumentation and initial calibration assays.

“So far, I have learned a lot about the machines in our lab and how they work; machines like mass spectrometers, HPLCs, NanoDrop Microvolume Spectrophotometers, pH meters and cell culture hoods. I also have gotten to lead several projects regarding inventory and organization,” said Darling, who is double majoring in neuroscience and French.

“As the lab sets up, I am organizing and categorizing, but I am really learning about what it means to be a scientist,” she said.

Darling’s placement at Phenomenex is part of a partnership between local biotech companies, including EverCell Bio, and Wheaton’s Biology Department and Social Entrepreneurship Program.

As the lab gets up and running, Darling will learn from Phenomenex’s scientists, who specialize in the characterization and separation of various biomolecules. The lab’s projects use cutting-edge technology to drive innovation in the drug discovery field.

Michael Mattera, LC/MS analyst at Phenomenex, said Darling has demonstrated adaptability as the startup establishes its laboratory. She works hard and has a good attitude, and isn’t afraid to ask questions to ensure her understanding of the work they do, he said.

Mattera added that many science students don’t have the opportunity to practice many laboratory skills until graduate school.

“The ability to walk into an interview and say, ‘I can use micropipettes and I’ve calibrated balances and pH meters’ will give you a leg up in job hunting as a recent graduate,” he said.

Darling calibrates a pH meter.

Darling’s placement at Phenomenex is part of a partnership between local biotech companies, including EverCell Bio, and Wheaton’s Biology Department and Social Entrepreneurship Program.

As the lab gets up and running, Darling will learn from Phenomenex’s scientists, who specialize in the characterization and separation of various biomolecules. The lab’s projects use cutting-edge technology to drive innovation in the drug discovery field.

Michael Mattera, LC/MS analyst at Phenomenex, said Darling has demonstrated adaptability as the startup establishes its laboratory. She works hard and has a good attitude, and isn’t afraid to ask questions to ensure her understanding of the work they do, he said.

Mattera added that many science students don’t have the opportunity to practice many laboratory skills until graduate school.

“The ability to walk into an interview and say, ‘I can use micropipettes and I’ve calibrated balances and pH meters’ will give you a leg up in job hunting as a recent graduate,” he said.

Michael Mattera, LC/MS analyst at Phenomenex (left), with Darling


Darling secured the internship by networking, she said. After she received an email last fall about an opening event for Mansfield Bio-Incubator, a collaborative space that includes Phenomenex and 24 other startups, she decided to attend, not knowing what to expect.

“That is where I met [Wheaton Professor of the Practice of Social Entrepreneurship] Pabel Delgado and the Phenomenex group. I wanted to be involved and I put myself out there, but truly I owe it to Pabel and his willingness to help everyone succeed,” she said.

The position fits well into Darling’s long-term goal of becoming a doctor. Her aspiration stems from personal experiences with neurological disorders.

“I have had three major concussions, been diagnosed with vestibular migraines, and have seen the clinical process through it all. Although, this time, I’d like to be on the other side of things,” she said. “In addition, my best friend was diagnosed with a brain tumor, and another friend had anxiety/depression—two very different things but both have to do with the brain. I see the brain as a puzzle and I want to help find solutions when things go wrong.”

Darling at entrance to Phenomenex lab

With her French major, Darling hopes to develop fluency in the language so she can someday pursue a career with Doctors Without Borders, or Médecins Sans Frontières, and provide medical treatment to those in impoverished and war-stricken countries.

Darling said the most meaningful part of the Phenomenex internship is knowing that she is starting to make that dream come true.

“I know that these are the first steps in my path to going to medical school, joining Doctors Without Borders, traveling the world, and doing all the things I love. That is the most gratifying part,” she said.

Mansfield Bio-Incubator is One Of The 13 Companies Named Winners Of Team Massachusetts ‘Impact’ Awards

Mar 1, 2023

For more information, please contact: Pete Abair, Executive Director 617-924-4600, pabair@massecon.com

13 GROWING MASSACHUSETTS FIRMS NAMED WINNERS OF Team Massachusetts ‘IMPACT’ AWARDS

WATERTOWN, MA – MassEcon, the state’s private sector partner in promoting business growth in Massachusetts, today announced its Nineteenth Annual Team Massachusetts Economic Impact Award, recognizing 13 companies for their outstanding contributions to the Massachusetts economy. The companies were selected on the basis of job growth, facility expansion and investment, community involvement, and commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity initiatives since January 1, 2022.

The winners will be honored at a ceremony on April 6, 2023, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, with Citizens as presenting sponsor. In addition, Bristol Myers Squibb will receive the 2023 Massachusetts Summit Achievement Award. The winning companies (listed below) were selected after site visits and interviews with regional teams of judges. The company expansion projects represent a financial investment of over $966 million, more than 1.4 million square feet, and more than 1,500 jobs added to the state’s economy.

“A unique feature of these awards is the recognition of small employers alongside global companies,” stated Peter Abair, MassEcon’s executive director. “Each employer shares a commitment to Massachusetts and represents an economy that continues to innovate and grow.”

The Impact Awards this year will include a special award, the Massachusetts Summit Achievement Award, which recognizes an employer for its commitment over time to Massachusetts with multiple business expansions, investments in new employees, and commitment to the broader Massachusetts community. The inaugural award goes to Bristol Myers Squibb. In 2007, BMS won a Massachusetts Economic Impact Award, recognizing its initial facility investment at Devens. In 2016, BMS won an additional Gold Impact Award for its expansion. In 2023, BMS would have been in the position of being recognized for its two expansions completed in 2022 at Devens and Cambridge.

“We are honored to receive the Massachusetts Summit Achievement Award from MassEcon recognizing Bristol Myers Squibb’s continued investment in Massachusetts,” said Odile Smith, vice president and head of the Devens site. “2023 is a big year for us with the expansion of our cell therapy operations in Devens and the opening of a brand new R&D facility in Cambridge. The life sciences industry is thriving across the commonwealth, and we truly love being a part of the community as we transform patients’ lives every day through science.”

“Congratulations to all the winners, who have positively impacted our state through job creation, facility investment and community involvement,” said Lisa Murray, President, Citizens, Massachusetts. “We at Citizens share in your commitment to strengthening communities through hard work and innovation, which is critical to ensuring that we meet the accelerating needs of the economy.” One awardee, Monogram Foods, will be the first honoree in the history of the Awards to receive recognition for investments in two different regions, with its recent growth in Haverhill and Medford. 1

19TH ANNUAL TEAM MASSACHUSETTS ECONOMIC IMPACT AWARD WINNERS -

Read about each of the companies here: company descriptions

ABOUT MassEcon

MassEcon’s mission is to promote and champion Massachusetts as the best place to start, grow and locate a business. Built upon a robust network of corporate and civic members, MassEcon convenes public and private sector leaders of industry to create an inclusive business ecosystem that enhances job growth across a diverse talent pool; promotes investment in all communities; expands equitable opportunities throughout the Commonwealth. www.massecon.com.

ABOUT TEAM MASSACHUSETTS

Team Massachusetts is the informal name given to a consortium of state and quasi-public economic development agencies, such as MassDevelopment, Mass Office of Business Development, MOITI, and the Mass Life Sciences Center, as well as private sector organizations focused on economic development in Massachusetts, such as MassEcon, MassBio, and MassMedic.

ABOUT Citizens Financial Group, Inc.

Citizens Financial Group, Inc. is one of the nation’s oldest and largest financial institutions, with $162.7 billion in assets as of June 30, 2019. Headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, Citizens offers a broad range of retail and commercial banking products and services to individuals, small businesses, middle-market companies, large corporations and institutions. Citizens helps its customers reach their potential by listening to them and by understanding their needs in order to offer tailored advice, ideas and solutions. In Consumer Banking, Citizens provides an integrated experience that includes mobile and online banking, a 24/7 customer contact center and the convenience of approximately 2,900 ATMs and approximately 1,100 branches in 11 states in the New England, Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions. Consumer Banking products and services include a full range of banking, lending, savings, wealth management and small business offerings. In Commercial Banking, Citizens offers corporate, institutional and not-for-profit clients a full range of wholesale banking products and services, including lending and deposits, capital markets, treasury services, foreign exchange and interest rate products, and asset finance.

More information is available at www.citizensbank.com or visit us on Twitter, LinkedIn or Facebook.

Company Spotlight: Aclarity Is Expanding Its Laboratory Operations At Mansfield Bio-Incubator

Mansfield Bio-Incubator is proud to announce the expansion of the laboratory operations of Aclarity, a cleantech company specializing in destruction of Per- and Polyfluorinated Alkylated Substances (PFAS) also known as “forever chemicals”. The company will occupy a first-class 700 square feet private laboratory suite in our facility. 

PFAS are incredibly harmful to human health and persistent in the environment. They build up in the food we eat and the water we drink. PFAS is toxic to humans, leading to health problems such as cancer and fertility issues. Yet, PFAS is ubiquitous. We must urgently destroy PFAS from our planet. But current practices to remove PFAS from the environment are not fit for purpose. The typical process involves using an incinerator to break down PFAS, but that is energy-intensive and can still release harmful chemicals into the environment. Instead, Aclarity provides a sustainable way to destroy PFAS forever. Aclarity develops and deploys electrochemical water treatment systems that cost-effectively destroy PFAS in wastewater and liquid waste streams. They save customers money, time, operational complexity and reduce their liabilities. By permanently destroying PFAS, Aclarity is repairing our environment and ensuring cleaner, safer water for all. 

Just last month, Aclarity announced that it has successfully destroyed PFAS chemicals at a customer’s site, at volume, in landfill leachate, a primary source of PFAS contamination in the environment. Third party lab results confirmed continuous destruction of up to 99% of PFOS in landfill leachate, bringing levels to below detection limits. The full-scale pilot, sponsored by Xylem, a leading water technology company, demonstrates that PFAS can be destroyed at full-scale capacity for large operations. The modular nature of the Aclarity technology allows for destruction of low volume streams and even those requiring upwards of millions of gallons per day to be treated. 

After a recent fundraise of over $3 million, Aclarity is deploying the technology across the country. The company is currently planning several permanent installations in 2023 and is evaluating strategic partners to expand into verticals such as drinking water and groundwater remediation. 

With these ambitious plans, Aclarity has to be cognizant of the footprint it needs to be able to accomplish the goals. “Aclarity’s rapid growth and opportunity to be in proximity to the top-notch talent in the Boston Area requires us to think on our feet and be flexible. Mansfield Bio-Incubator’s location and lab space has been extremely useful to our team. Their willingness and ability to accommodate our changing needs as well as networking opportunities provided has been tremendously helpful in our growth and the development of our PFAS destruction technology,” said Julie Bliss Mullen, Aclarity’s Chief Executive Officer. 

For more information, please visit their website at https://www.aclaritywater.com/. 

Mansfield Bio-Incubator is fully committed to fostering the development of the ground-breaking technologies like Aclarity’s PFAS elimination from our water supply. Our diverse community is accepting applications to become our members. For more information, please visit us at https://www.bioinc.org 

 

Glass Bottle Factory Finds New Life as Biotech Space

The lab facility helps grow the thriving biotech community in Southeastern Massachusetts

Nov 18, 2022 | 3 min read | MaryBeth DiDonna

PDF Version

The Mansfield Bio-Incubator in Mansfield, MA, was completed in February 2022. At a cost of $4 million, the facility measures 26,000 sq. ft. in total, with 16,000 sq. ft. of Phase II buildout. CannonDesign served as architect on the project, while NV5 provided engineering services and Timberline Construction did the buildout. 

Lab facility in the Mansfield Bio-Incubator

COPYRIGHT © 2022 MANSFIELD BIO-INCUBATOR, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Lab Manager spoke to Alex Margulis, Chief Operating Officer at Mansfield Bio-Incubator, about this facility’s interesting history and its outlook for the future. 

Q: What was the need for this facility? Is it replacing an outdated existing facility or accommodating new research/ a new program? 

A: Mansfield Bio-Incubator is located on a 64-acre property formerly built as a glass bottle factory in the 1970s. In the 1980s, the factory closed down and the facility was used as a transportation/warehousing hub. However, the location and the layout of the property is better suited for a biotech due to the proximity to Boston/Cambridge as well as two other major research clusters in New England in Worcester and Providence. Recognizing this, previous property owners generously donated $2 million to build the initial 10,000 square feet facility in 2017. The footprint consists of shared and private laboratory and office space to encourage the collaboration and to nucleate a biotech mini-cluster in Southeastern Massachusetts, to relieve the congestion and high prices in Boston and Cambridge and therefore help sustain the state’s coveted number one spot in the world in biotech. Within two to three years, the demand started to outgrow the physical footprint. 

To continue growing the biotech community in the region, we have partnered with Massachusetts Life Science Center, a state agency dedicated to growing Life Sciences in Massachusetts, and a private foundation, to build a Phase II expansion. The Phase II expansion is an extension of our original footprint built out in 2017. It was built to attract high-quality startups who desire a top-notch BSL-2 space and grow the biotech cluster in Southeastern Massachusetts. Our long-term aim is to create a campus where both earlier-stage and later-stage companies learn from each other. In particular, this is an ideal spot for a late-stage company to build a manufacturing facility.

Q: What kinds of sustainability initiatives have been included in the design plan? Is the facility pursuing LEED certification or something similar? 

A: The key elements in the design plan were high-quality insulation and the option to vary the air exchange rate within an individual suite (private suites of 325, 675, and 2,700 square feet). Finally, 50 percent of the electricity is generated from the solar farm nearby. We would consider pursuing a LEED certification.

Q: Is there anything particularly unique or groundbreaking about your facility or the design plan?

A: We sought to combine the highest quality standard for the laboratory while at the same time providing an open space that inspires collaboration and flexibility to adapt to each start-up’s ever-changing individual needs. With a 21st century dubbed as a biotech era, more and more applications of biotechnology will require strict engineering controls to ensure safe environment and eliminate any cross-contamination between the different enclosed (private) spaces. A robust air exchange within a shared space is also critical to minimize the chance of cross-contamination. The design of the facility aims to address this critical aspect of R&D.

Q: What sorts of challenges did you encounter during the design/build process, and how did you overcome them? 

A: From construction during COVID, to disruptions in the supply chain, to the transition in ownership and the need to overcome existing building restrictions and limitations, we faced several obstacles in the process of turning this dream into a reality. We overcame these challenges through grit, perseverance, and the collective help from our architects, engineering design, and construction firms.

Q: If a similar facility or program were to look at your lab for inspiration, what do you think they will take away as an example of what they should also implement in their own lab?

A: One piece of advice I’d share: You should seek to ensure the infrastructure is as flexible as possible with minimal fixed casework and ample room to add more electrical power and HVAC capabilities, as each startup has unique needs and even a later stage company’s priorities shift rapidly. Most importantly, the HVAC design must ensure no cross-contamination since very often the R&D work requires the use of air-borne pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, or parasites.