News from the life sciences and technology sectors north of Boston |
|
|
|
The Boston Globe reports today that Emily Knight, president and CEO of The Engine, has been tapped by Boston Mayor Michelle Wu as economic development chief for the city of Boston.
In a statement announcing her appointment, Mayor Wu said, "Emily Knight has spent her career bringing people and institutions together to turn ambitious ideas into companies, jobs, and lasting economic growth. Emily understands what entrepreneurs and businesses need to succeed — and how to ensure that success reaches every neighborhood in our city." Read more. |
|
|
Emvolon (30 Sixth Road, Woburn) recently announced it has signed a seven-year deal under which Freepoint Commodities will serve as the primary buyer for biomethanol and associated liquid fuels produced across Emvolon’s deployment sites. Freepoint will also have right of first refusal on investing in its projects.
Emmanuel Kasseris, Ph.D., co-founder and CEO of Emvolon said, “This dual commercial and capital agreement with Freepoint systematically solves the core bottleneck in decentralized fuel manufacturing by securing our buyer and anchoring our project financing platform. We are building our first commercial system now and will put that foundation to work across North America and key international growth regions.” Read more from Reuters. |
|
|
Science reports that Mexico has approved use of RNA-based fungicide Oifirax developed by GreenLight Biosciences (200 Boston Avenue, Medford). Oifirax uses RNA molecules to target powdery mildew, a fungus that attacks grapes and reduces yields. Mexico has promoted a shift toward more sustainable agriculture and is the first country to approve the commercial sale of an RNA-based biofungicide. Read more. |
|
|
Mohammad Alkhadra, Ph.D., co-founder and CEO of Lithios (196 Boston Avenue, Medford) was named to MIT Technology Review's 2026 Innovators Under 35 list.
Lithios develops technology that uses electricity to extract lithium from underground brines more efficiently and with less water, chemicals, energy, and waste than conventional methods. Its Advanced Lithium Extraction technology is designed to unlock previously uneconomical lithium sources and strengthen the domestic supply of this critical material for batteries and clean energy technologies.
Lithios completed a successful eight-month field pilot in Arkansas earlier this year, secured a $20 million award through the ARPA-E SCALEUP Ready program, and is working toward its first commercial-scale lithium production plant. |
|
The Massachusetts Office of Economic Development recently featured two Woburn clean energy companies in a video series showcasing state initiatives that help businesses grow, innovate, and remain in the Commonwealth.
CapyBara Energy (3 Cummings Park, Woburn), is developing a scalable, inherently safe energy storage technology that adapts to the demands of modern power systems. The company received a $1.1 million Massachusetts Manufacturing Innovation Initiative (M2I2) grant from the Massachusetts Center for Advanced Manufacturing, enabling it to establish its Woburn headquarters and scale its operations. Watch the video with Capybara CEO Matthew Millard, Ph.D. and CAM senior manager Zhuqing Wang.
Emvolon, one of the latest recipients of a MassVentures START grant, is transforming waste methane into clean fuels and chemicals using technology developed at MIT and now being commercialized in Woburn. With MassVentures support, the company has moved its research toward the marketplace, helping Emvolon scale its technology, grow its team, and continue building in Massachusetts. Hear from Emvolon CEO Emmanuel Kasseris, Ph.D. and see the company's Woburn facility in this video. |
|
|
Cambridge Polymer Group (100 TradeCenter, Woburn) has achieved ISO 13485:2016 certification for polymers contract research, extractables and leachables analytical testing, and the sales of customized bio-medical materials.
For more than three decades, Cambridge Polymer has helped medical device, life sciences, and healthcare organizations address complex materials challenges through polymer science, analytical testing, and biomedical materials expertise. |
|
|
Kerry Love, Ph.D., founder, CEO, and president of Sunflower Therapeutics (200 Boston Avenue, Medford) has joined the scientific advisory board for Solio Bio.
San Francisco-based Solio Bio is a biotech skincare company developing bio-based alternatives to conventional petrochemical-derived skincare ingredients. It focuses on nature-inspired ingredients for safer, more sustainable sunscreens and skincare products.
Sunflower Therapeutics develops automated, small-footprint systems that make it easier and less expensive to manufacture proteins used in medicines, vaccines, food products, and other biotech applications. Its technology uses continuous bioprocessing to simplify protein production from R&D through commercial-scale manufacturing. |
|
|
North Shore Community College (NSCC) and North Shore Technology Council invite life sciences companies to a workforce development event showcasing NSCC’s new Life Sciences Center of Excellence. Designed to help address the region’s growing demand for skilled life sciences talent, the Center offers academic and training programs that prepare students for associate- and entry-level careers across the industry.
The event will feature a moderated panel discussion, refreshments, and guided tours of NSCC’s new life sciences facility, providing attendees with an opportunity to learn more about the Center and its programs, as well as ways to engage with the region’s emerging workforce.
Wednesday, September 16, 5:00-8:00 PM, NSCC, Danvers. Register. |
|
|
Join Middlesex 3 Coalition on Thursday, September 24 from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM at 10 6th Road, Woburn,, for the M3 Member Meet & Greet. Connect with fellow Middlesex 3 Coalition members, meet new business and community leaders, and expand your professional network. Enjoy coffee, conversation, and tours of the property while exploring opportunities to collaborate with organizations from across the region. |
|
The fifth annual North Shore Technology Council Women in Technology Forum is coming on Thursday, October 8. This year's Forum features keynote speaker Carolyn Kirk, CEO of Massachusetts Technology Collaborative.
Louise Kennedy founding attorney of West Hill Technology Counsel (900 Cummings Center, Beverly), will moderate a panel with esteemed leaders Antonella Cucchetti, senior director, Applied Materials; Sarah Rich, head of AI solutions, CarGurus; Rachel Sha CEO, Terrestrial Bio (1 Cummings Park, Woburn); Amelia Thomas, co-founder and CEO, River Otter; and Joanna Xylas, co-founder and CEO, Materialize Bio.
Learn more and register. |
|
Bedford WoodsMore than 200 developers, brokers, business leaders, municipal officials, architects, engineers, and economic development professionals convened at 174 Middlesex Turnpike in Bedford last week for the 2026 Real Estate Summit, presented by the Middlesex 3 Coalition and New England Real Estate Journal (NEREJ).
Hosted at Bedford Woods, the program featured a fireside chat with Bill Cummings and Cummings chief design officer Jim Trudeau. Bedford Woods is the latest property acquired by Cummings and currently undergoing transformation from a single-occupant property to multi-tenant buildings.
Top photo (l to r) Jim Trudeau; Mike Ogasapian, Lincoln Property Company; Chet Szablak, Rockland Trust; Bill Cummings; Lynn Tokarczyk, Business Development Strategies; Michael Kunz, Maugel DeStefano Architects; and John Halsey, Cummings Properties. |
|
|
Thank you to Senopsys for sharing its company news in this month's newsletter. Have an item to share? Contact Sue Howland, client engagement manager, at svh@cummings.com to suggest content for upcoming newsletters. We look forward to hearing from you. |
|
|
|
|
