Life Sciences

Expanding workforce access in the biotech industry: Northeastern BioConnect Phase 2

In response to the EDA’s Build Back Better Regional Challenge, theBioConnects New EnglandPhase 2 Proposal was successfully submitted March 15. With over 125 letters of support (Including Middlesex 3 Coalition) from municipal, state, and federal levels of government, community organizations, academia, and industry across Massachusetts, Maine, and Rhode Island, the coalition is incredibly grateful for your engagement and support throughout the proposal development in Phase 2.

The coalition,BioConnects New England, builds a hub-and-spoke model that supports existing and establishes new biomanufacturing infrastructure and training pathways to increase employment and educational opportunities for low- and moderate-income communities in Massachusetts, Maine and Rhode Island.

The coalition will strengthen the life sciences talent pipeline by providing workers with multiple on- and off-ramps into the biotech industry through high school career-pathway programs, apprenticeships, community college training, college degrees, and entrepreneurship opportunities. Community engagement with residents in Gateway Cities and rural areas across the three states will be a key strategy throughout the initiative to increase STEM career opportunities, particularly for women and people of color.

Until now, the common perception has been that biotechnology is stuck in the ivory tower of academia, inaccessible to all but a chosen few. BioConnects New England will ensure economic opportunities created by this fast-growing industry offer equal access to stable, well-paying jobs with a clear career pathway to prosperity.  After all, in order for the biotech industry to thrive, it needs to realize this as well.

BioConnects New England is co-led by Middlesex 3 Member Jared R. Auclair, associate dean and director of the Biopharmaceutical Analysis and Training Laboratory (BATL) at Northeastern University, and Alicia Sasser Modestino, an associate professor and research director of the Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy atNortheastern University.

Read More Here: https://www.bizjournals.com/boston/news/2022/03/17/viewpoint-expanding-workforce-access-in-the-biote.html

Lantheus Logo

Lantheus Announces AI Product Approval

Lantheus announces the first and only FDA cleared AI-Enabled PSMA Digital Application.

Lantheus Holdings, Inc. announced that its subsidiary, EXINI Diagnostics AB, was granted 510(k) clearance by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its digital application, aPROMISE (automated PROstate Cancer Molecular Imaging Standardized Evaluation). Read the full article here.

BARDA Mask Innovation Challenge

Win $500,000 to Design a Better Mask

The Biomedical Advanced Research & Development Authority (BARDA) has launched a Mask Innovation Challenge focused on improving the comfort, utility, and protective factor of available masks that are used by the general population.

BARDA is offering up to $500,000 for new & improved mask designs that are low-cost & mass-producible. Apply now — the challenge application closes on April 21st at 5:00 PM ET

For more information and to apply visit: https://www.challenge.gov/challenge/mask-innovation-challenge/