January 4, 2022 (CAMBRIDGE, MA) – The Massachusetts Biotechnology Council (MassBio®) today opened the application for the inaugural cohort of its next generation biotech accelerator, MassBioDrive. A biannual program, MassBioDrive will accelerate up to five emerging startups per cohort by connecting founding teams with business-focused curriculum, mentorship, industry connections, and equity-free prizes – all at no cost to the participants. Scientists and early-stage biotechs with breakthrough therapeutics or platform technologies are invited to apply for the spring 2022 cohort by February 4, 2022 at 12:00PM (noon) ET.
“MassBioDrive is an incredible platform for scientists looking to take that first big step outside of the lab,” said Gauri Nair, Vice President of Innovation Services at MassBio. “By harnessing the power of MassBio’s robust life sciences network, MassBioDrive is primed to help founders launch their startups effectively and efficiently.”
MassBioDrive provides emerging biotechs from around the world with a market-focused launchpad of training, resources, and networks in their growth trajectory to fully realize the potential of their science. Over a high impact, eight-week hybrid program, selected startups will:
- Participate in six business-focused curriculum modules taught by seasoned experts from J.P. Morgan, KPMG, Marsh McLennan, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, and Xontogeny;
- Partner with a small, dedicated group of industry mentors;
- Connect with MassBio’s global life sciences network through ecosystem-wide events and targeted 1:1 partnering opportunities.
After presenting their biotechs at an end-of-program Demo Day, startups will receive a stipend award from Bristol Myers Squibb and access to resources from Evaluate and other MassBio partners.
“Bristol Myers Squibb views this partnership with MassBio as an important way for us to support life-science innovation in Massachusetts,” said Sharon Cload, Ph.D., Vice President of Biotherapeutics Discovery, East Coast, for the company. “A novel approach emerging from one of these startups could lead to a therapeutic advance that improves the lives of people with serious disease; this is the mission that drives every one of us at Bristol Myers Squibb.”
“MassBio is proud to partner with industry-leading organizations and experts to advance breakthrough science and to provide opportunities to innovators from all parts of the life sciences ecosystem,” said Kendalle Burlin O’Connell, President & COO of MassBio. “Massachusetts is a global destination for early-stage biotech innovation, so we’re tremendously excited to help bring the innovation community together to attract and support the next generation of patient-driven biotech founders.”
To celebrate the application’s launch, MassBio will host an event virtually on Wednesday, January 19 at 5:30pm. Members of the innovation ecosystem can RSVP for the event here.