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News from the life sciences and technology communities north of Boston

April 2024

Yesterday, Cullinan Therapeutics, formerly known as Cullinan Oncology, announced a name change and strategic shift.


As reported in Boston Business Journal, Cullinan plans to continue development of its drug, CLN-978, in autoimmune diseases rather than oncology. The company is preparing to submit an investigational new drug application to study CLN-978 in patients with the most common type of lupus in the third quarter of 2024. With the shift, a phase 1 trial of CLN-978 in B cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma will be halted.


Cullinan also announced $280 million raised in a private stock offering.

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Scipods is one of the newest companies serving the life sciences industry to join the community at 100 Cummings Center, Beverly. Co-founded by Cezary Kubel (left) and Adrian Wegiel, Scipods offers a growing solutions platform that improves the lab experience by centralizing inventory data and analytics.

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Clean tech innovation company Boston Metal (6 Gill Street, Woburn) welcomed Governor Maura Healey, state and local officials, and clean energy leaders to its facility last week. The visit was part of the Governor’s Mass Leads Act Road Show highlighting the ways in which her proposed economic development bill is designed to grow the state’s economy, support businesses, and attract talent. The bill proposes a new ten-year, $1 billion strategy to make Massachusetts the climate innovation lab for the world, and includes a framework for capital, tax incentives, and operations. 


Boston Metal is focused on decarbonizing steel production by using electricity rather than coal.  CEO Tadeu Carneiro (at podium) was joined by a host of dignitaries, including Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao, Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper, MassCEC CEO Emily Reichert, Deputy Undersecretary of Economic foundation Gaby Goldstein, and Woburn Mayor Mike Concannon.

Cummings recently hosted Middlesex 3 Coalition at TradeCenter 128 in Woburn for a lively discussion on "The Future of Office Space." M3 executive director Stephanie Cronin (right) and panel moderator and president of Land and Sea Real Estate Demetrius Spaneas (left) engaged panelists (left to right): John Halsey, vice president of leasing for Cummings Properties; Corinne Maleski, director, interior design for ahp Architects; Kris Galletta, chief investment officer and senior VP, Nordblom Company; Sean Moriarty, senior vice president, Enterprise Bank; and Mike Ogasapian, vice president, R.W. Holmes Commercial Real Estate.

Research conducted by scientists at Endolytix Technologies (48 Dunham Ridge, Beverly) and Colorado State University was published in Microbiology Spectrum, a journal of the American Society for Microbiology.


New forms of antimicrobials are needed with resistance to chemical antibiotics on the rise. The study shows that an enzymatic cocktail can kill a variety of mycobacterial species of bacteria, including those that cause tuberculosis.


Jason Holder, Ph.D., founder and CSO of Endolytix said, "We’ve shown we can design and develop biological antibiotics and deliver them to the sites of infection through liposomal encapsulation. By combining drug delivery science with enzymes that lyse bacteria, we hope to open up treatment options in diseases such as NTM pulmonary disease, tuberculosis pulmonary disease and others.”

The application deadline for the 2024 Eddies is Friday, April 26. This annual competition is open to Mass-based startups that have developed a ground-breaking technology or product and have not yet entered Series C or equivalent in funding.


Visit Mass Innovation Network for details on how to apply.

ICYMI - Alsym Energy (82 Cummings Park, Woburn) recently announced a $78 million funding round jointly led by Tata Limited (a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Sons) and General Catalyst, a global venture capital firm. 


Alsym is developing next-generation non-flammable rechargeable batteries for stationary storage, marine, and mobility applications. The company will use the investments to grow its team and expand manufacturing capability in order to meet increasing demand for customer samples.

Read more in The Boston Globe.

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North Shore Technology Council invites you to "Meet the Innovation Ecosystem," as representatives from organizations helping to grow the life sciences, technology, and sustainability industries north of Boston gather for a panel discussion and networking.


Thursday, May 2, 5:00 - 7:30 PM at Cummings Center Community Conference Room, Beverly. Cummings clients can attend at the NSTC member rate by selecting "Cummings Client Tickets" with registration code "Innovation." Register.

The 2024 MassBio State of Possible conference will be held Wednesday, April 24 at Royal Sonesta Boston.


Attendees from the lab to the C-suite will experience engaging panel discussions on surviving biotech’s choppy waters and rewriting what is possible in science, a fireside chat on state and federal affairs, an inspiring keynote from three-time Super Bowl champion and sickle cell disease advocate Devin McCourty, and ample time for networking, partnering, and celebrating.

C2i (299 Washington Street, Woburn) invites the community to join a Vendor Exhibition Day from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Wednesday, May 22. Enjoy networking, lunch, and the opportunities to learn about the latest technologies and sign up for instrument training sessions. Register.

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Growing out of Incubator?

For early-stage companies growing out of incubator, Cummings provides small lab options in Medford, Woburn, and Beverly. Our Emerging Tech Center at 200 Boston Avenue features new-construction labs along with a common lounge, huddle rooms, and shared conference room.

Representative lab shown.

Lab Suite G-325 - 1,700 SF

Features:

View Floor Plan
  • 6’ fume hood
  • Make-up air and dedicated exhaust
  • Lab sink with point-of-use acid neutralization tank
  • Two eyewash stations
  • Biosafety cabinet
  • Double-door entry
  • Vinyl-faced ceilings
  • Epoxy-painted walls

Interested? Call or text John Halsey at 781-983-2214 or email sales@cummings.com.

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We welcome your feedback on this newsletter and invite readers to share company news, personnel changes, product launches, funding updates, events, and more. Contact Sue Howland, client engagement manager, at svh@cummings.com to offer your news for upcoming newsletters. We look forward to hearing from you.

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