Massachusetts Biomedical Initiatives (MBI) Welcomes Two Companies to the Incubator in Second Quarter of 2025

Worcester, MA (July 24, 2025) – Massachusetts Biomedical Initiatives (MBI), the longest-running non-profit life sciences incubator in the Commonwealth dedicated to creating a biomanufacturing hub in Central Massachusetts, is pleased to announce that it welcomed two companies to its incubator in the second quarter of 2025. Other second quarter updates include three new graduates from its SPARK mentorship program, Worcester ranking in the top 25 in three categories in the 2025 CBRE Report on US Life Sciences Talent and Trends, and receipt of a National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals Workforce Grant.

“Worcester’s inclusion in the CBRE report as a top market for life sciences and medtech talent reinforces what we see every day at MBI – this region is emerging as a national leader in biomanufacturing,” said Jon Weaver, President & CEO of MBI. “From startup launches to workforce partnerships, Worcester is attracting talent, investment, and innovation at an accelerating pace. MBI is proud to play a catalytic role in building this ecosystem and helping companies grow where the future of biomanufacturing is taking shape.”

MBI welcomed the following startups this quarter:

• Pananosis: A platform blood-based diagnostic test powered by computationally analyzing immune footprint patterns
• Heteron Biotechnologies: A clinical stage startup developing hand-held, in-vitro breath diagnostic devices for the detection of gastrointestinal, liver, and metabolic diseases

With the addition of these innovative new companies, MBI is at 85% capacity, demonstrating the growing demand for startup and lab space in the Central Massachusetts region. The unique StartUp & ScaleUp model at MBI bridges the gap between incubator and commercial market spaces for early-stage, growing companies. The StartUp space offers small, private labs for founders to launch companies. As they grow, companies can move into the ScaleUp space which offers larger accommodations and private office suites intended for scaling teams and technology. The newly opened Pilot Biomanufacturing Center provides space designed to support early-stage clinical manufacturing. This model allows companies to move into larger, more appropriate spaces as they scale, freeing up space in the incubator for new, promising companies to enter the pipeline.

Additionally, MBI is pleased to report that the 2025 CBRE Report on US Life Sciences Talent and Trends ranked Worcester:

• #17 for Life Sciences Research and Development talent
• #24 for Life Sciences Manufacturing talent
• #13 in MedTech talent

Additional MBI updates:

• This quarter, three startups graduated from MBI’s SPARK Program, a free, 8-week program that pairs aspiring entrepreneurs in need of guidance with mentors in MBI’s network who help startups overcome a specific challenge or roadblock. The program, funded through a Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (GAFC) award in 2023 and the Federal Small Business Administration (SBA), is designed to support early-stage entrepreneurs developing breakthrough science and technologies. This was the third cohort to graduate from the program. A third cohort was matched to mentors in early April with an expected graduation in June 2025.
• MBI also had the pleasure of hosting MassHire’s Rev250 Workforce Innovation Tour in June with a visit from Massachusetts Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development, Lauren Jones; Worcester City Manager Eric D. Batista; representation form local Senators and Representatives, and members of the Biomanufacturing Workforce Initiative. Photos available upon request.
• MBI and the MassBioEd Foundation have been chosen as a National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL) Workforce Grant winner. This grant will allow MBI and MassBioEd to work collaboratively to advance the MassBioEd CareerHub and launch a community outreach campaign that will demystify careers in the life sciences and highlight the workforce training opportunities within the region.

Additional highlights and updates from our companies:

• ADViRNA expanded into a larger ScaleUp lab space to support the growth of their company.
• Fornax Biotech expanded into another MBI StartUp lab as the company continues to scale.
• Splice Histology was included in Auxilium Worcester’s first Accelerator cohort. Each company receives a $250,000 investment, along with curated workshops, dedicated mentorship, and workspace inside Auxilium’s innovation hub in Worcester.
• SpadXTech was awarded the Manufacturing Rising Star Award from the Worcester Business Journal for its commitment to sustainable innovation and cutting-edge manufacturing.
• SauveBio’s Co-Founder and CEO, Hannah Sheehan, was published in the International Journal of Molecular Science resulting from collaborative work from her time at Northeastern University. This research opens new doors for understanding mitochondrial function in health, disease, and therapeutic development.
• Peter Li and Jean Qiu of Conifer Life Sciences Group were included in the Worcester Business Journal’s 2025 Power 100.
• ADViRNA cofounder Anastasia Khvorova received the Elise Kröner Fresenius Prize for Medical Research.
• MetroBiotech began Phase 1a clinical trial of its proprietary NAD booster targeting age-related diseases like chronic kidney disease. This marks a critical step in their journey to develop new therapies that support healthier aging.

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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.

Media Contact:

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