Massachusetts is the home of the world-renowned "Super Cluster" in the Biotechnology industry, focused in Cambridge. It is spreading west beyond the Greater Boston-Cambridge area as it expands. In Western Massachusetts, proximity and connections to the Super Cluster are regional strengths. The twin giants of the industry in this region are research institutions Baystate Health, of Springfield, and the flagship campus of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

Baystate Health is the second largest hospital system in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the western campus of the Tufts University School of Medicine. Its faculty and research staff are engaged in basic, clinical and biomedical research across a broad spectrum of medical and surgical specialties, with many nationally-recognized programs. Baystate hosts clinical trials and includes a large biorepository with a complete tissue collection from patients spanning several decades.

Bioscience research at the University of Massachusetts is focused on biochemistry, cell and developmental biology, neuroscience, psychology, microbiology and genetics. Key research focus areas include neurological, health outcomes, developmental and reproductive biology, structural biology, exercise science, microbiology, cancer and bioengineering.

Collaborative opportunities with nationally recognized complementary programs in polymer science and nanotechnology enhance research at UMass. Baystate and UMass formed a research partnership in 2003 by jointly founding the Pioneer Valley Life Sciences Institute in Springfield. PVLSI has three primary research areas: A Center for Excellence in Apoptosis Research, breast cancer and diabetes and metabolic disorders. The Institute leases space to biomedical research companies.

Research and Development

Biomedical Research Models Inc. develops and utilizes specialty animal models to determine the efficiency of new drugs in preventing or ameliorating human disease.

Microtest Laboratories is a medical device testing facility and leader in combination product testing.

Pioneer Valley Life Sciences Inc. is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to providing a biomedical research environment for interdisciplinary teams of scientists, engineers and physicians in the dual missions of improving human health and strengthening the community through economic development.

TechCast at UMass is a podcast series that features the breakthrough discoveries of UMass Amherst researchers, showcasing partnerships that create new commercial ventures with the potential to reshape everyday life.

Western Massachusetts Life Science Companies*

Apex Resource Technologies is a precision design and development company offering part to part capabilities and a contract molding facility.

A -T Surgical Manufacturing is one of America's oldest independent manufacturers of quality orthopedic soft good products and supports.

Accelent / Medsource offers outsourcing solutions to the medical device market including design, engineering, precision component production, finished goods assembly and complete supply chain management.

Blackstone Medical (A Division of Orthofix) develops products that represent three major fusion categories: cervical, thora-columbar and biologics.

Dielectrics Inc. is a specialist in the design, development and fabrication of specialty OEM medical products and components using flexible thermoplastic films and film/fabric laminates.

Marox Medical provides precision machining and assembly of orthopedic implants and instruments.

Texcel is a contract engineering and manufacturing firm specializing in active implantable medical devices.

Vaupell is a contract manufacturing firm of medical devices who also provides precision fixturing and gauging.

*This list represents a sampling of the region's many life science companies

Hospitals

Baystate Medical Center

Cooley Dickenson Hospital

Holyoke Hospital

Mercy Hospital

Noble Hospital

Shriners Children's Hospital

UMASS Memorial Wing Hospital

Educational Resources

Bay Path College

College of Our Lady of the Elms

Holyoke Community College

Mount Holyoke College

Springfield College

Springfield Technical Community College

Smith College

University of Massachusetts

For more information contact Mike Graney at (413) 755-1300.

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