MARCH 10, 2022

BioConnects New England (BCNE) and the Massachusetts Biotechnology Education Foundation (MassBioEd) are excited to announce a partnership to create a robust biomanufacturing industry cluster in the New England region.

With this partnership, BioConnects New England and MassBioEd  aim to promote the growth and sustainability of the life sciences industry in New England through academic excellence and strategic programming.  Additionally, BioConnects New England and MassBioEd agree to foster research and development collaboration on a range of projects.  MassBioEd is also committed to attending the annual coalition meeting, hosting partners, and assisting with outreach to local communities.

“We look forward to the BioConnects New England partnership with MassBioEd,” said Jared Auclair, Ph.D., an associate dean at Northeastern University and director of their Biopharmaceutical Analysis Training Lab and co-lead of BioConnects New England. “Their mission is closely aligned with the goals of the BioConnects New England coalition, and we look forward to working with them on expanding educational opportunities for everyone to build a sustainable, diverse, and growing life sciences workforce.”

“We are excited to partner with BioConnects New England coalition under the U.S. Economic Department Administration’s Build Back Better Regional Challenge,” said Sunny Schwartz, CEO of MassBioEd. “This forward-thinking initiative will allow us to build the infrastructure required to provide career seekers the training and resources to obtain employment in the life sciences, focusing on unemployed and underemployed individuals, particularly People of Color.  As part of implementation, MassBioEd will create robust career development services, develop middle and high school educational programming, and support workforce training with referrals and access to the MassBioEd Apprenticeship Program.”

Through its grant challenge sponsored by the Economic Development Administration, BioConnects New England is leveraging its resources in the region to create a robust biomanufacturing industry. Massachusetts-based Northeastern University leads the coalition, which includes The Biopharmaceutical Analysis Training Laboratory at Northeastern University, The Roux Institute at Northeastern University in Portland, Maine, Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, the I-195 Design & Innovation District in Providence, Rhode Island, the University of Rhode Island, and FocusMaine in Portland. The coalition will lead K-12 education and engagement activities, jumpstart prototyping and incubation facilities throughout the region, and invest in accessible start-up entrepreneurship programming.

ABOUT BIOCONNECTS NEW ENGLAND

BioConnects New England is a multi-state coalition and finalist of the Build Back Better Regional Challenge—a $1 billion program sponsored by the Economic Development Administration. Through this initiative, BioConnects New England will create a biomanufacturing cluster in the region of Massachusetts, Maine, and Rhode Island that have been historically excluded from the biotechnology industry, one of the fastest-growing sectors in New England with national importance. This coalition will connect hubs throughout New England to support existing—and establish new—biomanufacturing infrastructure as a pathway to increase employment and educational opportunities for underserved regions and populations.

ABOUT MASSBIOED

The MassBioEd Foundation (MassBioEd) is a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit organization. Its mission is to build a sustainable life sciences workforce in the region through educational programs that engage and excite teachers, inspire and propel students, and illuminate the pathway from the classroom to careers with a focus on expansion, opportunity, and diversity.

MassBioEd’s BioTeach Program builds the confidence and skill set of teachers, so they are empowered to embrace new technologies, inspire student curiosity, and ignite student interest. MassBioEd’s BioTalent Program grows, elevates, and diversifies the life sciences workforce by creating pathways to careers for non-traditional students and job seekers.