Reflecting on MBI’s 40th Anniversary Celebration: A Night to Remember

On September 12, 2024 MBI had the immense privilege of celebrating a remarkable milestone—our 40th anniversary. Held at our startup incubator, the evening was filled with gratitude, reflection, and a shared vision for the future of the life sciences and biomanufacturing industry right here in Central Massachusetts.

For four decades, MBI has been a driving force in fostering innovation, supporting workforce development, and spurring economic growth in the region. What began as a bold vision to establish Worcester as a hub for scientific excellence and collaboration has grown into a powerful reality. Today, MBI is leading the charge to make Worcester a global biomanufacturing destination, working tirelessly with our many partners to advance the life sciences industry.

A Night of Honors and Celebrations

We were deeply honored by the presence of key leaders and supporters who have championed MBI’s mission over the years. Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty presented MBI with the Key to the City, a truly humbling honor that highlights our impact in Worcester and beyond. Additionally, we were joined by Senator Robyn Kennedy, Senator Michael Moore, Representative John Mahoney, Representative James O’Day, Representative David LeBoeuf, and former Senator Harriette Chandler—all of whom have been staunch advocates for our vision.

A special thank you goes out to Jeanne LeClair, Acting CEO of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, for her inspiring keynote speech. Her relentless advocacy for Central Massachusetts and MBI’s mission continues to propel our work forward.

Celebrating Our Partners and Leaders

As part of our 40th anniversary, we took the opportunity to honor some of the key figures who have been instrumental in supporting MBI and the region’s life sciences cluster:

• The Commonwealth of Massachusetts was awarded the Dr. Abraham W. Haddad Award in recognition of their commitment to collaboration and support for our regional life sciences cluster. Governor Maura Healey, Jeanne LeClair, and Secretary Yvonne Hao (who sent a heartfelt video in her absence) accepted this honor on behalf of the Commonwealth.
• Representative John Mahoney received the Joseph R. Carter Innovation & Economic Development Award for his bold leadership and unwavering commitment to Worcester’s economic development.
• Dr. Peter Li was awarded the inaugural Kevin O’Sullivan Entrepreneurial Excellence Award, named in honor of MBI’s longest-serving CEO. Dr. Li’s entrepreneurial spirit and contributions to the region are a testament to the innovation that MBI fosters.

A Heartfelt Thanks to Our Supporters

This celebration would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors. A special thank you to Chacharone Properties, our Legacy Sponsor, and Thermo Fisher Scientific, our Food Truck Sponsor. We also extend our gratitude to Iron Hog BBQ, Decanted Mobile Bar, Polar Beverages, Greater Good Imperial Brewing Company, and Fuel America for making the evening unforgettable.

As we look back on 40 years of growth and impact, we are deeply grateful to all who have supported MBI’s mission. Your dedication has laid the foundation for our success and has positioned us as a leader in the Central Massachusetts life sciences community.

Looking to the Future

With our sights set on the next 40 years, MBI is committed to continuing its leadership in advancing biotech, life sciences, and biomanufacturing in Central MA. We are proud of our past and excited for the future as we work to establish Worcester as a global biomanufacturing hub.

Here’s to 40 more years of innovation and collaboration!

Thank you to our Sponsors – Chacharone Properties, Thermo Fisher Scientific, UMass Chan Medical School, Corealis Pharma, MassBio, Bowditch, Fidelity Bank, STEMCELL Technologies, Richmond, Mercier Electric Co., Azenta Life Sciences, eLabNext, UniBank, ClinLab Staffing, J.S. Mortimer, Environmental Health, Inc., Garabedian, Massachusetts Biomanufacturing Summit, Fuel, Greater Good Imperial Brewing Co., and Polar Beverages.