Business

Charles River Chamber Panel Looked at How Watertown Became a Life Science Hub

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A panel of speakers discussed the life science industry in Watertown at an event hosted by the Charles River Regional Chamber. From left, City Manager George Proakis, Boylston Properties President Mark Deschenes, CEO of Labshares Phillip Borden, and C4 Chief People Officer Kelly Schick. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Eleven years ago, 25 life science companies had facilities in Watertown. Today, more than four times that many companies are located in the City, making it one of Massachusetts’ life science hubs. On March 10, the Charles River Regional Chamber’s life science panel, “Watertown’s Life Science Future,” looked at how the City became one of the hottest centers for biotechs, and what’s next.

Business

Watertown Remains a Bright Spot for Life Science, Chamber to Host Forum on the Industry

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Life science clusters in Watertown in 2025. The image appears in Watertown Bio’s 2025 Life Science Industry Report. The biotech industry, while slowed, still has some life in Watertown, according to a recently published study. The City boasts the third most life science firms of any community in Massachusetts, the fourth most venture capital investment, and 20 new firms came to town in 2025. The 2025 Watertown Life Science Industry Report was released by Watertown Bio founder Sam Ghilardi, and looks at the economic impact of life science firms, the profile of firms in town, the drug development pipeline, and real estate/life science space in Watertown.

Business

Watertown Life Science Company to be Acquired by Eli Lilly

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Orna Therapeutics Logo

Pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly will be acquiring a company in the East End of Watertown Arsenal, the two companies announced on Feb. 9. Orna Therapeutics is based at 500 Forge, a building near Home Depot that used to house Miller’s Ale House and offices into lab space. The following announcement was released Monday:

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) and Orna Therapeutics, Inc., a biotechnology company dedicated to engineering immune cells in vivo, today announced entry into a definitive agreement for Lilly to acquire Orna. Orna is advancing a new class of therapeutics utilizing engineered circular RNA paired with novel lipid nanoparticles to allow the patient’s own body to generate cell therapies that can treat underlying disease.

Around Town

LETTER: Is Watertown in Balance?

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By Linda ScottWatertown Resident

Are We in Balance? Balance: “An even distribution of weight, enabling someone or something to remain upright and steady.” Oxford Languages

I was reading a Watertown News article entitled: “Life Science Building Could Potentially Go on Part of the Home Depot Parking Lot” and the comments that ensued and felt the need to write. As usual, it got long! Balance in Bio Lab Development

First, thanks, Corey Dillon for the list of labs that are empty and/or underutilized at this time. May I add to your list with other lab spaces in Watertown?

Around Town

Life Science Companies’ Collaboration With Watertown Schools Will be Featured at Event

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The Watertown Business Coalition’s Life Science Panel returns on April 9 at the Mosesian Center for the Arts. See the WBC’s announcement below. The Fourth Annual WBC Life Science Panel this year is called “Learning to Love Science.” This years program will focus on the amazing partnership between Watertown High School and local life science companies, thanks to the hard work of our friend Merle Kummer and the board of “CoLAB.”

CoLAB is a nonprofit organization in Watertown, MA where local life science professionals and high school educators collaborate to inspire student interest in STEM careers – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math – and build new levels of STEM self-confidence. Watertown’s life science cluster continues to be a bigger part of Watertown’s economic growth – and students enrichment should be a part of that growth! WE WOULD LOVE FOR MOMS, DADS, STUDENTS and TEACHERS to join us!

Around Town

WHS Students Get Hands-On Experience with Biotech Professionals at New CoLAB Club

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Eric Perkins of Addgene works with Watertown High School students during CoLAB Club. (Courtesy of CoLAB)

The following piece was provided by CoLAB:

CoLAB, a not-for-profit organization connecting high school students with Watertown life science companies recently launched the first ever “CoLAB Club” at Watertown High School. CoLAB Club, one of the newest school organizations, is designed to provide hands-on science experience under the guidance of school faculty and employees of life science companies. The club meets after school once a month over dinner, providing a forum for students and professionals to work together to solve research-based scientific experiments. “We are thrilled with the turnout to our first meeting,” said Liz Munday, Chemistry and Earth Science Teacher at Watertown High School, and lead for the CoLAB Club.

Around Town

LETTER: City Needs to be Accountable for Noise Standards and Company Compliance

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Dear Newton Neighbors (and especially Cedar),

I want to thank you for reaching out and sharing your neighborhood’s story. I remember seeing you, Cedar, when you addressed our City Council in June. It takes a lot of thought and talent to get your whole point across in just two minutes (the time Watertown residents are allowed to express a concern in that venue), but I remember that you did it admirably, and I’ve often wondered how you and your neighbors fared. Now I know, and your neighborhood’s anger and frustration is shared by many here in Watertown who feel unheard. It is unusual for people to express a concern and propose a possible solution, taking part of the work out of it for our City.

Business

Future of Life Science Industry to be Discussed by Panel at Chamber’s Virtual Event

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The Charles River Regional Chamber will host a virtual panel discussion focusing on the future of the life science sector in the area, development and more. “The Value of Life Science Development and Future Impact,” will take place on Thursday, April 13, from 11 a.m. to noon via Zoom. The event is free and open to members & nonmembers. The Chamber provided the following description:

There’s been plenty of worrisome headlines about the fate of Greater Boston’s life science sector. An oversaturated real estate market? Declining stock values and IPOs?