40 Stories for 40 Years

1

Catalyst of Innovation: The Genesis of MBI

You probably already know that MBI is the Commonwealth’s longest-running incubator, but not many know the true origins of our humble nonprofit. Did you know...

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2

Bridging the Gap: The Biomanufacturing Workforce Initiative

Biomanufacturing Workforce Initiative Since industry and academia often speak different languages (figuratively speaking), MBI partnered with MassHire in 2020 to create the Biomanufacturing Workforce Initiative...

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3

From Curriculum to Careers: MBI’s Grant-Driven Biotech Workforce Development

MBI’s workforce development efforts started well before our Challenge Grants came about. One of the key activities of the Massachusetts Biomedical Research Institute (MBRI), which...

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4

Golf Outings for a Cause

For years, MBI held annual golf fundraising events to support the Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science at WPI. As a nod to this fun...

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5

Spotlight on MBI Vice President Zu Shen, Ph.D.

MBI’s first Vice President, Shen holds a bachelor of arts in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Clark University and a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences from...

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6

MBI Legacy Spotlight: Abe Haddad, DMD

It is impossible to talk about those who played an instrumental role in the inception and legacy of MBI without mentioning Abe Haddad. Dr. Abraham...

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7

Robert Anderson, Chair of MBI’s Board of Trustees

Robert Anderson, LLM, ESQ, CPA, is the current Chairman of MBI’s Board of Trustees. With over of experience 25 years in biotechnology, Bob specializes in...

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8

John Hallinan, MBI Treasurer

The newest member of our board, John Hallinan, brings a wealth of experience to his role as our Treasurer. He currently serves as the Chief...

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9

Laser Dental Drill Invented at MBI

MBI graduate, Convergent Dental, Inc., is a privately owned dental equipment and technology company. Convergent Dental’s flagship product, Solea, is the only CO2 laser to...

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10

Shobha Parthasarathi, Ph.D.

Shobha Parthasarathi, Clerk of MBI’s Board of Trustees, is the founder of Intovis, a strategic life sciences consulting group. She collaborates closely with scientific founders...

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11

Trustee Spotlight: David Grenon

A cherished friend and steadfast supporter of MBI, David Grenon truly embodies the spirit of collaboration and entrepreneurship. With humility at his core, David has...

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12

MBI Success Story: Alpha-Beta

MBI has seen many success stories throughout its 40-year history, with each one reflecting the impact of its incubation programs and resources for early-stage companies....

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13

Building a Hub of Innovation: MBI and the Founding of Worcester’s Biotech Park

Worcester’s Biotech Park stands as a testament to the power of vision, partnership, and innovation in Central Massachusetts. Established in the early years of the...

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14

MBI Trustee Spotlight: Charles Kunsch

Charles Kunsch, Vice Chair of the MBI Board of Trustees, is a distinguished leader in life sciences, known for his expertise in venture strategy and...

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15

MassBioEd’s Apprenticeship Programs

As the life sciences sector continues to grow, the demand for skilled workers—especially in biomanufacturing—has become more urgent. According to a recent MBI survey, there...

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16

MBI & MCPHS Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Certification Program

A recipient of our Workforce Challenge Grants, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) is developing an innovative Certificate in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing program aimed...

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17

MBI Graduate Success Story: T. Breeders

One of MBI’s most notable startup success stories is T. Breeders, a biotech company whose journey exemplifies the impact of MBI’s early-stage support. Founded by...

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18

MBI Board of Trustees Spotlight: Philip R. Morgan

Philip R. Morgan, Vice Chair of the MBI Board of Trustees, has been an instrumental force in the region’s entrepreneurial landscape, carrying forward a family...

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19

Advancing Biomanufacturing Talent: WPI’s BETC

At the forefront of biomanufacturing workforce development in Central Massachusetts, MBI is committed to facilitating the development of skilled talent to meet the growing demands...

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20

Bioindustrial Manufacturing at MBI

Worcester is fast becoming a center for bioindustrial manufacturing, where science meets sustainability to tackle global challenges in energy, materials, and environmental impact. MBI has...

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21

Pilot Biomanufacturing Center

In 2023, MBI cut the ribbon on its Pilot Biomanufacturing Center. The expansion added 10 new labs to MBI that support startup companies in process...

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22

Regional Biomanufacturing Strategy

With a goal to transform Central Massachusetts into a Biomanufacturing Hub, MBI and its partners in the region authored a Regional Biomanufacturing Strategy that outlines...

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23

Graduate Spotlight: Biocytogen

Powered by cutting-edge gene editing technologies, Biocytogen was founded at MBI in 2008 to provide custom gene editing services to clients. After graduating from MBI,...

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24

MBI’s StartUp and ScaleUp Models

The unique StartUp & ScaleUp model at MBI bridges the gap between incubator and commercial market spaces for early-stage, growing companies. MBI’s StartUp space, consisting...

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25

Spotlight: Jon Weaver

Meet the current President and CEO of MBI – Jon Weaver. Jon joined MBI in May of 2015 as Chief Operating Officer and took the...

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26

UMass Chan Medical School: A Legacy of Excellence in Worcester

The founding of UMass Chan Medical School in Worcester in marked a transformative moment for the region. Established at the Biotech Park (which MBI helped...

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27

Partner Spotlight: Massachusetts Life Sciences Center

The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) is a vital force in advancing the Commonwealth’s life sciences ecosystem. As a state-funded agency, MLSC supports innovation, workforce...

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28

AbbVie in Worcester: Driving Innovation and Growth

AbbVie’s presence in Worcester has been a cornerstone of the city’s transformation into a thriving life sciences hub. As one of the world’s leading biopharmaceutical...

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29

Massachusetts Biotechnology Research Park

The Massachusetts Biotechnology Research Park (Biotech Park) was developed in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s through a collaborative effort of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,...

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30

Building Innovation: Gateway Park in Worcester

Worcester’s Gateway Park stands as a shining example of the city’s transformation into a hub for innovation and economic growth. Developed through a public-private partnership,...

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31

MBI Graduate Spotlight: Blue Sky Biotech

MBI takes pride in supporting startups that evolve into industry leaders. One notable success story of an MBI startup success is Blue Sky Biotech, a...

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32

MBI Portfolio Spotlight: Conigen Bioscience

At MBI, we are proud to support innovative startups  that are shaping the future of biotechnology through our unique StartUp and ScaleUp incubation models. One...

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33

MBI & QCC’s Biomanufacturing Pre-Apprenticeship Program

When our partners at AbbVie identified a critical need for trained biomanufacturing technicians—particularly individuals without college degrees—MBI stepped in as a catalyst to connect industry...

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34

International New Year Potluck Celebration at MBI

A highly anticipated annual event, MBI’s International New Year Potluck Celebration brings together our highly diverse and engaged community for a lunchtime filled with food...

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35

MBI’s Beers & Peers

You may be familiar with MBI’s Beers & Peers events, but do you know how they got started? It wasn’t always an open-to-the-community event… it...

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36

Community of Collaboration: MBI’s Startup Incubator

MBI’s three startup incubator sites are currently home to over 40 companies, each working to solve unique problems with innovative solutions. As a nonprofit, our...

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37

MBI Partnership Program

MBI Partnership Program: At MBI, we are committed to supporting life sciences innovation from “Concept to Clinical Trials.” As a nonprofit, we provide comprehensive resources...

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38

Team MBI

Meet Team MBI! Our 2024, 40th Anniversary team is small, but mighty! You know us professionally, but here are some fun facts about us personally…...

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39

40 Years of MBI

As MBI marks its 40th anniversary, we are proud to reflect on the lasting economic impact we’ve had on Central Massachusetts and the broader life...

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40

Looking Ahead: The Next 40 Years of Growth

As we reflect on the past 40 years, it’s clear that MBI’s journey has been one of resilience, innovation, and growth—especially during challenging times. In...

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