Life Sciences

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.

On June 16, 2008. Governor Deval Patrick, joined by Senate President Therese Murray and Speaker of the House Salvatore F. DiMasi, signed pioneering legislation today at the Joslin Diabetes Center as he unveiled for the first time the comprehensive, innovative Massachusetts Life Sciences Law. The legislation, a 10-year, $1-billion investment in the industry, will secure and expand Massachusetts' life science supercluster. "With this initiative we take our rightful place as a global leader in the life sciences," said Governor Patrick.

Research & 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 Institute 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.

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.

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.

Seahorse Bioscience provides industry-leading instruments and consumable labware products for biological research and drug discovery.

Cirtec Medical 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 & Educational Resources

Baystate Medical Center
Cooley Dickenson Hospital
Holyoke Hospital
Mercy Hospital
Noble Hospital
Shriners Children's Hospital
UMASS Memorial Wing Hospital
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