Central Mass. life science companies receive $3.7M in state tax breaks

Photo | Courtesy of Bristol Myers Squibb Bristol Myers Squibb manufactures cell therapies out of its Devens facility.

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By Isabel Tehan

Five life science companies with significant operations in Central Mass. were among the 43 firms across Massachusetts chosen to split $24.4 million in tax incentive awards.

Gov. Maura Healey and the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center announced the awards Tuesday, with the expectation the companies will use them to create nearly 1,600 jobs across the state.

Legislation that allows for these incentives was part of then-Gov. Deval Patrick’s life science investment in 2007, and was renewed last year for extension into 2025. The incentives represent dollar-for-dollar savings in tax filings. Each company selected for the tax incentive has an anticipated job commitment figure at a specific expansion location tied to their award.

Five companies among those chosen have expansion locations in Central Massachusetts:

Bristol-Myers Squibb, which is headquartered in New York City, received an incentive award of $1.155 million to expand its Devens facility, tied to an expected job commitment of 77 jobs.
WuXi Biologics, headquartered in China, received $1 million for 25 jobs for expansion in Worcester.
Rentschler BioPharma, which is headquartered in Germany, received a $825,000 incentive against a commitment of 55 jobs for an expansion in Milford.
ModeX Therapeutics received $525,000 against a commitment of 35 jobs for expansion at its Natick headquarters.
Trelleborg Sealing Solutions, which is based in Sweden, received $150,000 for a commitment of 10 jobs at an expansion in Northborough.

Moderna, headquartered in Cambridge, received the largest award in the state, a $3.135-million tax incentive for expansion at its Norwood facility. The company previously announced it expects to add more than 200 new jobs at its newly purchased Marlborough facility.