UMass Center Gains $4M for Biotech
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The funding will help the Massachusetts Medical Device Development Center to establish a new facility in Lowell. Known as M2D2, the center is a partnership between the Lowell and Worcester UMass campuses that works with companies around the state to move innovative medical devices from concept to market.
"I'm delighted to join in announcing this next step in the growth and of the life sciences in Massachusetts," Patrick, who was headed west to a campaign event this evening for Rep. Denis E. Guyer of Dalton, said in a press release. "We are proud to continue our partnership with UMass Lowell and our private partners in developing the innovation infrastructure we need to move new ideas into cures, creating new companies and new jobs along the way."
The funding will come from a bond authorization that has already been approved by the Legislature. The state commitment of $4 million will combine with private, federal and local funds for this project.
The governor is pushing life sciences as an economic driver for the state; the Legislature is expected to take up his $1 billion life science bill in the next few weeks.
M2D2 is a resource for the state's smaller medical device companies, offering inventors and executives affordable and coordinated access to researchers and resources. Project coordinators provide access to UMass-Lowell's extensive expertise and facilities in medical device engineering, product design, prototyping and manufacturing. UMass-Lowell is establishing an on-campus innovation center that will house this life sciences initiative.
"By funding this home for UMass-Lowell's medical device development initiative, the governor is helping to grow the life sciences economy. The governor and I are committed to boosting this sector of the life sciences 'supercluster' – one that can lead to jobs, and new state revenue, quickly," said Sen. Steven C. Panagiotakos, chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee. He was joined by several of the region's State Hose members.
Through M2D2, plastics engineering and medical experts, working with a steering committee of industry veterans and venture capital managers, guide companies through the pipeline from idea to production. M2D2 is directed by UML's Stephen McCarthy, a professor of plastics engineering who holds nine patents and is the founder of the nanotechnology-based company Encapsion, and Dr. Sheila Noone, UMass-Worcester's director of clinical research.
This "benefits Massachusetts citizens by helping develop new medical instruments and products that improve the health and lives of our residents and assisting Massachusetts entrepreneurs as they start and expand companies in our commonwealth, said UMass President Jack M. Wilson. "We sincerely appreciate the support that Governor Patrick and leaders in the Senate and House have shown for the center."
