MassBio partners with the Oxbridge Biotech Roundtable and the OneStart program

May 20, 2016

New partnership will catalyze Massachusetts' entrepreneurial ecosystem

May 20th, 2016 (CAMBRIDGE, MA and LONDON, UK) – A new collaboration with the Oxbridge Biotech Roundtable (OBR) as a OneStart Americas 2016 partner will catalyze the Massachusetts entrepreneurial ecosystem, MassBio and OBR announced today.

Under the new partnership, MassBio and the OBR will refer entrepreneurs and share resources across their prestigious startup programs: MassBio’s MassCONNECT program, which is the only entrepreneur mentorship program in Massachusetts that dives deep into the life sciences, and OneStart, the world’s largest life sciences and healthcare startup accelerator program.

As part of the partnership, MassBio will provide support to OneStart semi-finalists that are located in Massachusetts and OneStart will welcome MassCONNECT participants to their entrepreneur bootcamps. MassBio will also support OneStart as they work to launch events and connect with innovators across the US by leveraging relationships with other trade associations.

“After hosting OneStart for their Boston launch event last fall, we saw clear synergies between OneStart and MassBio’s early-stage mentoring program, MassCONNECT,” said John Hallinan, Chief Business Officer of MassBio. “Over the last few years we have also seen a number of MassCONNECT graduates benefit from OneStart, such as 2014 winner Resilience Therapeutics, 2015 finalists Blue Therapeutics and Riparian Pharmaceuticals, and this year’s finalist PathoVax. This partnership will allow us to better align support and work more closely with OneStart and OBR.”

“We are excited to partner with Oxbridge Biotech Roundtable to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Massachusetts and, more importantly, catalyze innovation worldwide as we take this step to further connect the UK and US biotech communities,” said Robert K. Coughlin, President & CEO of MassBio. “Here at MassBio, and through our mentorship program, MassCONNECT, we hope to support the best ideas that can provide value to patients and to the healthcare system, no matter where they originate.”

Dan Perez CEO of the Oxbridge Biotech Roundtable and co-founder of OneStart added, “We relish the opportunity to work with MassBio, an organization whose vision aligns with our own, to encourage bio-entrepreneurship. Together we can help to grow the Massachusetts-based community of young innovators whose ideas may have the potential to revolutionise the healthcare industry. In line with MassBio’s mentoring program MassCONNECT, at OBR and OneStart we also see the immense value in educating and supporting entrepreneurs. We seek to provide them with guidance that will allow them to succeed. By working together, the level of support we can provide can only be enhanced.”

The OneStart Americas Finals Gala will take place at the Charles Hotel in Boston on May 26th. If you are interested in attending, click here to register and learn more. 

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About MassBio

MassBio is a not-for-profit trade association founded in 1985 and committed to advancing Massachusetts' leadership in the life sciences to grow the industry, add value to the healthcare system and improve patient lives. Representing more than 700 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, disease foundations and other organizations involved in life sciences and healthcare, MassBio leverages its network of innovative companies and industry thought leaders to advance policy and promote education, while providing member programs, events, industry information, and services. Learn more at www.MassBio.org.

About MassCONNECT

MassBio’s MassCONNECT program is the only entrepreneur mentorship program in Massachusetts that dives deep into the life sciences. MassCONNECT matches entrepreneurs with seasoned life sciences professionals to catalyze and commercialize innovation. Learn more at www.massbio.org/discover/massconnect.

About OneStart www.onestart.co

OneStart is the world’s largest life sciences and healthcare startup accelerator programme. Founded in 2012 by SR One and the Oxbridge Biotech Roundtable (OBR) it aims to encourage entrepreneurship among young and disruptive healthcare innovators.  Applications are open to all, from early to more developed businesses, whose idea focuses on improving human healthcare, irrespective of the type of technology. Participation is limited to individuals under the age of 36 and companies who have not raised more than £160,000 in dilutive funding. 

About Oxbridge Biotech Roundtable (OBR) www.oxbridgebiotech.com

Oxbridge Biotech Roundtable was founded in 2011 with the aim of creating better ties between academia and industry.  This is achieved through encouraging enhanced communication and consultancy between the two sectors, with a 30,000 strong network of academic and industrial professionals.  

About SR One™ www.srone.com

SR One is the independent corporate healthcare venture capital fund of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). Founded in 1985 they have invested over $830MM into the biotechnology sector, with a 35 strong public and private portfolio, investing globally in companies that will have a significant impact on medical care. 

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