Biotechnology: The Building Blocks Of The Biotech Biz
Central Mass. looks to become 'translational research' mecca
By Kenneth J. St. Onge
Special to the Worcester Business Journal
"Even though we're looking at a new facility that will be three years in the future, we will start recruiting investigators right now so they will be on board before it opens," Flotte said. The investment, yet to be finalized, would create some 40 new high-level faculty positions at the school and research center, and about 160 support personnel - 200 new jobs total, Flotte said. Between now and the opening of the planned research center, many of those researchers would be housed in lab space in the nearby biotech park.
Biotech On The Rise
That excitement underscores what many experts believe could be a key year for the region's biotech sector. Much of the research that has gone on in and around the hospital has yielded major scientific promise - including a Nobel prize for one of the hospital's scientists - but has yet to achieve an equally massive commercial success. Now, as the state readies to put some money behind that research, many see the region poised to enjoy the fruits of the school's scientific labors.
At the heart of the plan lies an institutional faith in what's called "translational research," or efforts to bring discoveries out of the lab and into the marketplace. The RNA interference technology created at UMass, and now used in drug research and development, is one example. But as biotechnology and life sciences become increasingly focused on developing personalized medicines and treatments tailored for individual patients, technology pioneered at institutions like UMass has the potential for big bucks down the road, and 2008 increasingly seems like the year that the players and companies who will spearhead those efforts will begin beefing up the city's biotech sector.
"As an economic development initiative, we would like to see some private development," Flotte said. "These investments should go a long way in fostering new life science technology companies."
Flotte estimated that as many as a third of the staff for the proposed research center could be hired in 2008. They will join a growing roster of new additions to the city's biotech parks.
Terence R. Flotte, dean and executive deputy chancellor of UMass Medical School.The Corridor Of Success
Another big draw will be the new laboratory space in Gateway Park, the Worcester Polytechnic Institute-led initiative to redevelop a former brownfield into a research center. Already, RXi, the company founded by Nobel Laureate Craig Mello, has agreed to move to lab space in Gateway. The boosted lab space in the city will make rents more attractive for other burgeoning life sciences firms.
Taken together, the moves underscore a citywide growth for biotech, one that will continue through 2008, Flotte predicted.
The rise of UMass and Gateway Park are just one piece of the biotech matrix poised to take off in 2008. A number of other firms already have plans underway to add major facilities for biotech development in the massive corridor between Worcester and Boston.
Kevin O'Sullivan, president of the Massachusetts Biomedical Initiatives, said the growth of life sciences firms in 2008 will also hold big promise for contract research firms, which do testing for larger firms like Pfizer and Novartis.
"There's intense demand to bring new drugs to market and these companies are looking to cherry pick or contract their research," he said. "They can get a quality product and cheaper, which is good for big pharmaceutical companies."
Small companies such as Blue Sky Biotech and GlycoSolutions, both Worcester-based contract research groups, are benefiting from that trend, which should pick up even more next year.
But the state's $1 billion investment, which should soon be finalized, will be the biggest energizer that the Central Mass. biotech sector is looking for next year.
"More than the money, it's just the signal it sends that Massachusetts is continuing to compete on a worldwide stage," O'Sullivan said. "It's not only encouragement, but the willingness to nurture these firms so they'll stay and grow."
Kenneth J. St. Onge is a freelance writer based in Connecticut and a Worcester native.
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