September marks Bob Coughlin’s 10th anniversary as President & CEO of MassBio, and his accomplishments over the last decade for MassBio, the life sciences industry, and patients are impressive, to say the least:
- MassBio membership has grown from 579 to 1002
- MassBio annual revenue has grown by more than 75%
- Industry jobs in Massachusetts grew by more 37%
- Over 9 million square feet of lab space was added in Massachusetts
- 18 of the top 20 biggest pharmaceutical companies in the world now have a presence here
Most importantly, since the inception of the industry in Massachusetts, companies headquartered here have developed therapies for patient populations of 232,434,000 in US, and 1,507,722,000 around the world.
It’s clear Bob’s decade leading MassBio has focused on being a champion for patients by ensuring innovative companies have the best environment possible to research, develop, and commercialize breakthrough therapies and cures for people around the world who need and deserve them.
While he continues to help the industry grow, he’s also taking risks to change the system – bringing together payers, providers, innovators, and government to support a new payer system that can absorb the cost of breakthrough cures. It’s cures that will ultimately improve patient lives, and lower healthcare costs in the long run. He believes it’s up to Massachusetts to innovate so other states and the federal government will follow.
As a three-term state representative, and then Undersecretary of Economic Development for Governor Deval Patrick, Bob prioritized both healthcare and economic development issues and was a strong advocate for the life sciences industry in Massachusetts. That, coupled with his private sector experience in the environmental services industry, capital management and venture capital made him a clear choice to lead MassBio.
Although his true motivation for stepping out of public service and to MassBio was personal – his son was born with cystic fibrosis, a genetic and life-threatening disease that affects the lungs and several other organs in the body. Those close to him have heard this often, but Bob believes it was the worst thing that’s ever happened to him, and the best. He gets paid for a job he would gladly do for free, and because of this, he’s truly gained the trust of the patient community, the policymakers and the industry at large.
We hope you’ll join us in raising a glass to Bob, congratulating him for all he does to support our vital industry and the patients it serves.