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!

Schools

Watertown Schools Received $20K in Grants from Community Foundation & Local Biotechs

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Community Foundation:

The Watertown Community Foundation (WCF) in collaboration with three Watertown-based life science companies, C4 Therapeutics, Enanta Pharmaceuticals, and Kymera Therapeutics has awarded $20,000 in STEM grants for students in Watertown Public Schools (WPS). This additional funding for STEM initiatives will bring WCF Education grant funding to WPS to an annual high of $55,000 for 2023-2024. Three corporate contributors, C4 Therapeutics, Enanta Pharmaceuticals, and Kymera Therapeutics have contributed $15,000 to the WCF STEM FUND to help bring elementary and high-school students the opportunity to participate in hands-on, science-based learning that expands beyond the classroom experience and the general curriculum. This collective giving program also allows companies, leaders and employees in Watertown’s life-science ecosystem to learn about WPS and forge deeper relationships with the school STEM community. The WCF has committed an additional $5,000 to support this program.

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.

Business

Watertown Life Sciences Company Gets $20 Million in Investments

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The following information was provided by Lyndra Therapeutics:

Lyndra Therapeutics Inc. of Watertown raised $20.3 million from seven investors as part of an offering of equity and option securities, according to a Form D dated June 7. Total amount of the offering is just over $179 million. Last month Lyndra announced it has dosed the first participant in its pivotal clinical trial investigating oral weekly risperidone (LYN-005) for the treatment of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. This is Lyndra’s lead drug candidate.  

The investigational oral weekly risperidone is a unique “long-acting oral therapy” powered by Lyndra’s LYNXTM drug delivery platform, which delivers a week’s worth of medication in one oral capsule.

Business

Seven Watertown Companies Receive Tax Incentives from State to Create Jobs

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Seven companies from Watertown received part of the $24.4 million being awarded by the state to create new jobs in the life sciences industry. The Healey-Driscoll Administration and Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) announced the MLSC Tax Incentive Program program last week. It will provide incentives for 43 life sciences companies, which are expected to create 1,584 jobs, according to the program’s announcement. The Watertown companies will received between $150,000 and $750,000 in tax incentives and will create a combined 140 jobs. The Watertown companies receiving the incentives are:

AffiniT Thereapeutics, $375,000, 25 jobs

Corner Therapeutics Inc., $150,000, 10 jobs

Disc Medicine Inc., $150,000, 10 jobs

Enanta Pharmaceuticals Inc., $150,000, 10 jobs

Lyra Therapeutics Inc. $300,000, 20 jobs

Tome Biosciences Inc., $750,000, 50 jobs

Treeline Biosciences Inc., $225,000, 15 jobs.

Around Town

Developers of Life Science Projects Make Case to Ease the Impact of Linkage Fees

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Elkus Manfredi ArchitectsA view from Water Street of the life sciences building being built by Boston Development Group at 66 Galen St. Developers working on life science projects in Watertown say the proposed linkage fees, being considered by the City Council, could put the City at a disadvantage compared to communities not charging the fees, and it comes at a bad time. They propose some changes to how they pay the $11.12 per square foot, which has been earmarked to create affordable housing. At the City Council meeting on Tuesday, April 11, Councilors will discuss and are scheduled to vote on the linkage fee rules. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. Watertown has already received approval from the State Legislature and Gov. Charlie Baker to charge up to $18 in linkage fees.

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?

Business

Watertown Life Science Company Cuts Staff by Over Half, Replaces CEO

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SQZ Biotechnologies announced a reduction of more than half the company’s staff, and appointed a new CEO after the resignation of its previous one. The company’s research focuses on cell therapies. The company based in Watertown, announced on Nov. 30, 2022, that Armon Sharei has step down from his role as chief executive officer and the Board of Directors. The Board appointed Howard Bernstein, former Chief Scientific Officer and current director, as interim CEO.