Life Sciences

The growth of the life sciences industry in Massachusetts is unmistakable, and serves as an affirmation of the Bay State's stature as a center for innovation. The 10-year, $1 billion public funding commitment made by former governor Deval Patrick in 2008 set the bar high and created a sustained focus on this key industry sector.

Marlborough's Ocata Therapeutics has enrolled its first patient for its Phase 2 clinical trial of a treatment for dry age-related macular degeneration (dry AMD), the company announced.

Two groups of scientists at the University of Massachusetts Medical School have each received $1 million in grant money raised during last summer's viral Ice Bucket Challenge campaign, funds that will support ALS research projects that the school's chancellor on Wednesday called "pivotal work."

Marlborough-based Sunovion Pharmaceuticals has received federal approval for its drug Aptiom as a monotherapy for the treatment of partial-onset epileptic seizures, the company announced.

Ocata Therapeutics of Marlborough has been awarded a federal grant to help pay for further preclinical development of a potential treatment for two forms of lupus, representing a new potential product line, the company announced Monday.

Boston Scientific of Marlborough has received Food and Drug Administration approval for its Innova stent system for treatment of patients with peripheral artery disease.

Marlborough-based Ocata Therapeutics has secured up to $10 million in financing to push toward commercialization of a drug to treat forms of macular degeneration, the company announced Wednesday.

Life sciences firm Harvard Apparatus Regenerative Technology of Holliston, which is developing bioengineered organs for life-threatening conditions, lost nearly $4.5 million during the second quarter as the firm pushes toward preclinical trials for a new generation of products, the company reported.

Life sciences firm Harvard Apparatus Regenerative Technology of Holliston will work with a Connecticut hospital to develop a way to fix or replace a child's esophagus to treat life-threatening conditions, the Holliston firm announced Monday.

Life sciences firm Ocata Therapeutics of Marlborough, working toward commercialization of a drug to treat a form of macular degeneration, substantially lowered its net loss for the second quarter, the company announced Thursday.