FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Eascra Biotech Expands at MBI, Showcasing MBI’s StartUp to ScaleUp Model

Worcester, MA (September 1, 2026) — Massachusetts Biomedical Initiatives (MBI) today announced that Eascra Biotech, a nanomedicine company, has expanded into a larger lab space within MBI’s incubator, marking the next stage of the company’s evolution.

The move comes as Eascra Biotech continues to build momentum, including the recent close of an $8 million financing round, and demonstrates how MBI’s StartUp to ScaleUp model helps emerging biotechnology companies expand without leaving the region.

Designed to address one of biotech’s biggest scaling challenges, MBI’s StartUp to ScaleUp model provides flexible lab space that grows alongside each company. Rather than forcing startups into costly commercial leases before they’re ready, the model allows companies to expand incrementally within MBI’s Incubator while benefiting from shared infrastructure, specialized equipment, and a collaborative life sciences community.

“Eascra Biotech’s growth is exactly why we built the StartUp to ScaleUp model,” said Jon Weaver, President and CEO of Massachusetts Biomedical Initiatives. “Central Massachusetts is proving that innovative biotech companies don’t have to leave the region to grow. Every company that reaches its next milestone strengthens our innovation ecosystem, and we’re excited to celebrate Eascra Biotech’s continued success.”

Eascra Biotech began its journey in one of MBI’s 366 square foot StartUp labs in early 2025 and has continued to expand within the Incubator as the company has evolved. It has grown to 7 employees, filling 1,272 square feet of lab space in its new location.

“MBI has been a genuine partner in our progress to date,” said Mari Anne Snow, CEO and Co-Founder of Eascra Biotech. “Early-stage life science companies face enormous hurdles, and lab space that grows with you instead of a lease that outruns you.Between MBI, MassBio, the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, and Mass Ventures, this state gives founders a real reason to put down roots — and we’ve chosen to put ours in Worcester.”

Eascra Biotech’s expansion reflects the growing momentum of Central Massachusetts’ life sciences ecosystem. As more companies start, scale, and stay in the region, MBI continues to provide the infrastructure and entrepreneurial support needed to help them succeed through every stage of growth.

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About Massachusetts Biomedical Initiatives

MBI is a non-profit focused on building the Central Massachusetts bio-cluster. MBI’s mission is to be a partner for fostering innovation in the life sciences and achieves that goal through its small business incubator system, workforce development efforts, and regional economic development initiatives. It is estimated that since 2000, MBI has assisted over 197 companies that have created over 1,800 jobs resulting in a $2 billion economic impact.

About Eascra Biotech
Eascra Biotech is a nanomedicine company developing Janus Base Nanoparticles (JBNps), a DNA-inspired, non-lipid delivery platform engineered to reach tissues that conventional lipid nanoparticles cannot — including articular cartilage, kidney, and solid tumors. Eascra’s initial programs target osteoarthritis, kidney disease, and solid tumor cancers. The company also manufactures JBNps in microgravity aboard the International Space Station under a NASA In Space Production Applications contract, work that has produced particles with greater structural consistency than Earth-made controls. Eascra is headquartered at MBI in Worcester, Massachusetts. Learn more at eascrabiotech.com.

Media Contact:

Alicia Curran, acurran@aliciacurrancommunications.com, cell: 407-797-2076