Biotech, Life Sciences, Government

Massachusetts Life Sciences Center Announces Board, Approves $7 Million in Grants

Luke Timmerman 7/23/08

The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, in charge of administering the state’s newly-enacted $1 billion, 10-year program to boost the biotech industry, announced the members of its board of directors today and, in one of its first actions, voted to approve $7 million in grants. The seven-member board includes Joshua Boger, CEO of Vertex Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: VRTX), Peter Slavin, president of Massachusetts General Hospital, and Jack Wilson, president of the University of Massachusetts. The board voted to approve almost $7 million for grants that will be used to recruit and retain top scientific talent at universities in the state, and spur new research, according to a statement.

Luke Timmerman is the National Biotechnology Editor for Xconomy. You can email him at ltimmerman@xconomy.com or call 206-624-2374.