How Massachusetts Makes the Impossible Possible

Apr 25, 2022

MassBio’s State of Possible Conference celebrates how the life sciences make the impossible possible. We’ll bring together some of today’s brightest minds for lively discussions about the newest advances in our industry, significant takeaways from the previous year, and how to build a better future for patients all over the world. The focus of this year’s conference is “The Massachusetts BioPharma Ecosystem in the Post-Covid Era.” We asked our speakers what makes Massachusetts the state of possible and what must the life sciences do to build a better future for patients around the world? Here’s what they had to say:


“As one of the largest community colleges in the Commonwealth, making higher education accessible for all means making the impossible possible. From biomanufacturing pilot programs designed to encourage more diversity in the biomanufacturing industry, educational pathways that will take students into the life sciences field, to innovative ways to address the impact of the pandemic, Quinsigamond Community College, as well as its sister state colleges and universities, is helping pave the way for a better, more equitable future in life sciences and all industries.”

Luis G. Pedraja, Ph.D., President, Quinsigamond Community College
Panel Speaker The Future of the State of Possible Amidst Rapid Expansion


“Massachusetts is home to some of the most innovative minds and healthcare entrepreneurs in the world, working passionately and collaboratively to generate the next waves of scientific and technological innovation. To ensure a better future for patients, those in the life sciences must be willing to self disrupt and embrace new approaches as they demonstrate promise and value and become POSSIBLE. A great idea can come from anywhere, and new healthcare solutions should be accessible everywhere, and so we should collectively and constantly strive to identify, nurture, shape and bolster new approaches that ensure health equity for all.”

Michal Preminger, Regional Head, Johnson & Johnson Innovation, East North America
Panel Speaker Next Generation Therapeutics


“Massachusetts is a state of discoverers and innovators. From its earliest days as home to Plymouth Rock, the landing place for colonial Pilgrims, to the creation of the first computer at MIT, the state is a cradle for transformation and advancement. The ongoing revolution in genetics and biology is transforming healthcare, and Massachusetts is a leader in biotech innovation. I deliberately moved from overseas to Massachusetts because this is a unique time and place for the biotech industry. Massachusetts is the epicenter of this revolution; it is like the Silicon Valley in the 1990s.

Over 80 million people in the US alone where infected with COVID-19 and nearly a million died.  Beyond those grim statistics, the pandemic has impacted livelihoods, mental health, and all of us in so many ways.  The impact would have been far greater without the innovation of the biotech industry that rapidly developed vaccines and therapies for COVID-19. The industry needs to continue its dedication and mission of bringing new therapies to the world and make sure they are accessible to everyone. An infectious outbreak in China or South Africa is a global problem, not a national problem. COVID-19 clearly demonstrated this, and the life sciences industry must work to remove national and geographic barriers to improve healthcare for all.”

Nathan Jorgensen, Chief Financial Officer, Vor Biopharma
Panel Speaker So Your Biotech is Public, Now What?


“We are in the golden age of medicine, where advances in science and technology allow for innovative medicines to be developed and delivered faster and most cost-effectively than ever before. But many don’t have access to medicines that could make a meaningful impact in their disease because of price. At EQRx, we are working to bring high-quality, innovative medicines to patients and health systems globally at radically lower prices in the interest of better health for all.”

Jami Rubin, Chief Financial Officer, EQRx
Panel Speaker So Your Biotech is Public, Now What?


“Health inequity is a global issue that cannot be addressed by any one person or company alone. Fortunately, we have science as a powerful tool that can inform our decision making by helping us better understand a patient’s environment and background. I’m looking forward to what we can accomplish in the future if we, as an industry, work together to close the care gap for communities around the world.”

Awny Farajallah, M.D., Head of Global Medical Affairs Oncology, Takeda
Panel Speaker Next Generation Therapeutics


“Massachusetts is a recognized pillar for scientific innovation and is focused on transforming healthcare outcomes for patients around the world.  We would be best served expanding our recruiting and candidate networks so that we are tapping into and accessing the full array of scientific talent and leadership necessary for translating scientific breakthroughs into tangible improvements for patient care.”

Aremin Hacobian, Head, Organization Health & Development, Third Rock Ventures
Panel Speaker Beyond the CEO Pledge, Where are we Now?


To learn more about why Massachusetts is the State of Possible and to see these speakers in action, register to attend the State of Possible Conference on May 5, 2022 at the Royal Sonesta, Cambridge.

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