WALTHAM, Mass. – The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC), a quasi-public agency tasked with implementing the state’s 10-year, $1-billion Life Sciences Initiative, today announced the opening of a free, web-based portal to help Massachusetts companies seek and find international partners.
The International Partnership Assistance Portal (IP-ap) is accepting profiles from Massachusetts life sciences companies that are interested in exploring business-to-business partnerships in areas such as early- or later-stage R&D, clinical trials, manufacturing, distribution or commercialization. The MLSC is working with international agencies to market the portal among the international life sciences business communities and encourage companies interested in collaborating with Massachusetts industry partners to enter their profiles in the portal.
“Massachusetts leads the world in life sciences and the International Partnership Assistance Portal will build upon our well established global partnerships and enable further advances in this important sector,” said Governor Deval Patrick. “Increased international partnerships will help both young and established Massachusetts companies thrive in the 21st century global economy.”
Companies with profiles in the portal will be able to use a search function to identify prospective partners with similar interests and complementary expertise. Company profiles will include background information, area(s) of focus/expertise, type of partnership(s) being sought, and contact information.
“The International Partnership Assistance Portal is an important next step in the development of the Center’s international programming,” said MLSC President & CEO Susan Windham-Bannister, Ph.D. “We recognize that collaboration is critical to innovation, and we want Massachusetts to be open for collaboration 24/7/365. The Center created the portal to enhance the ability of companies anywhere in the world to cross geographic boundaries and make high-quality connections with prospective partners here in Massachusetts. We are excited to see what new partnerships will emerge as a result.”
“I congratulate the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center on the launch of this invaluable business development resource,” said Ken Brown, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment. “The International Partnership Assistance Portal will serve to further enhance the Commonwealth’s standing as the global center for collaboration and innovation in life sciences.”
The MLSC expects that life sciences companies -- including those in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, bioinformatics and diagnostic sectors -- will leverage this portal as an additional method for seeking out partners.
About the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center
The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) is a quasi-public agency of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts tasked with implementing the Massachusetts Life Sciences Act, a 10-year, $1-billion initiative that was signed into law in June of 2008. The MLSC’s mission is to create jobs in the life sciences and support vital scientific research that will improve the human condition. This work includes making financial investments in public and private institutions that are advancing life sciences research, development and commercialization as well as building ties among sectors of the Massachusetts life sciences community. For more information, visit www.masslifesciences.com.
About the International Partnership Assistance Portal (IP-ap)
In order to expand life sciences-related partnership opportunities with Massachusetts companies, promote innovation and stimulate more global outreach, the Life Sciences International Partnership Assistance Portal has been created to open the door for communication between partners seeking partners. Target users are companies within all sectors of the life sciences community who are actively seeking collaboration to advance their R & D or commercialization efforts. The free portal is designed to provide one more route to access Massachusetts’ thriving life sciences community and expand the reach of many companies seeking collaboration to bring cutting edge innovation to the marketplace. The portal can be found at https://partnering.masslifesciences.com.
