News Summary

Governor Maura Healey has signed the Mass Leads Act, authorizing a $500 million capital reauthorization for Massachusetts’ life sciences sector. The Act aims to stimulate industry growth through increased tax incentives, supporting job creation. With annual tax incentives rising from $30 million to $40 million, it seeks to bolster the workforce and promote emerging technologies. Despite a slowdown in job growth last year, projections indicate a hopeful future, with a predicted 32% increase in employment by 2033. The legislation also underscores Massachusetts’ commitment to innovation in health care and related fields.

Boston, Massachusetts — Governor Maura Healey signed the Mass Leads Act into law on November 20, 2024, which will authorize a significant $500 million capital reauthorization for the life sciences sector over the next decade. This legislation aims to stimulate growth in Massachusetts’ already robust life sciences industry by increasing annual tax incentives, expanding initiatives, and creating jobs.

The Act will see life sciences tax incentives in Massachusetts rise from $30 million to $40 million each year. This is part of a broader strategy to bolster the workforce and support emerging technologies in the state. In October 2024, the state also announced $21.4 million in tax incentives intended to create 1,155 new jobs across 19 companies, including well-known entities such as Moderna and Vertex Pharmaceuticals.

Despite these promising developments, the growth rate of life sciences jobs in Massachusetts saw a slowdown, increasing by only 2.5% in 2023. This is a stark contrast to the annual average growth of 7.8% from 2020 to 2022. However, the MassBioEd employment outlook report suggests a bright future, predicting a 32% increase in employment in the life sciences sector by 2033, further underscoring the significance of the Mass Leads Act.

The newly allocated funds will allow the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) to expand its mission, particularly in supporting innovations related to preventative medicine and health-related artificial intelligence initiatives. Since its inception in 2007, the MLSC has invested nearly $1 billion into the sector, helping to create thousands of jobs and advancing new therapies and scientific breakthroughs.

The strategic move of the Mass Leads Act is not solely focused on life sciences; it also aims to foster growth in emerging fields such as climatetech and applied AI. Industry leaders have expressed enthusiastic support for the legislation, highlighting its dual focus on innovation and health equity.

In line with these developments, Kirk Taylor was appointed as the new president and CEO of the MLM on October 8, 2024. With almost three decades of experience within the life sciences sector, including roles at major companies such as Pfizer and Biogen, Taylor is expected to lead the MLSC into a new era of growth and innovation. He took over from Kenn Turner, who stepped down in July 2024 after guiding the organization since late 2020.

The journey to reauthorize the Mass Life Sciences Initiative faced numerous legislative hurdles before the signing of the Mass Leads Act, highlighting the complexities involved in advancing policies within the sector. Recently, Astellas Pharma responded to the need for innovation by launching the Astellas Life Sciences Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts, a facility designed to promote collaboration among biotech startups and academic institutions.

The Astellas center includes the U.S.-based SakuLab™ incubator, specifically aimed at fostering innovation through external partnerships. This initiative aligns with Massachusetts’ ongoing efforts to reinforce its position as a leader in life sciences and biotechnology research and development.

As Massachusetts continues to navigate the challenges and opportunities within the life sciences sector, the Mass Leads Act serves as a crucial component in maintaining the state’s competitive edge in this field. With increased funding, leadership changes, and a focus on innovation and job creation, the state is poised for significant growth in the coming years.