BOSTON -- Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) President and CEO Dennis D. Berkey was a guest at Gov. Deval Patrick’s June 16, 2008 ceremonial signing of the $1 billion Massachusetts life sciences bill. President Berkey is shown shaking hands with Gov. Patrick prior to the bill being signed into law.
The landmark legislation is a 10-year measure that includes $500 million in capital funding, $250 million for research grants, and $250 million in tax incentives for certified life sciences projects in Massachusetts.
WPI is a leader in advances in life sciences technology. In 2007, the WPI Life Sciences and Bioengineering Center at Gateway Park opened. The center’s mission is to dramatically advance education and research in the life sciences at WPI. As the focal point for the university’s research and graduate programs in biology, biochemistry, bioengineering, biotechnology, and related science and engineering disciplines, the center is accelerating advances and innovations that will help transform health care and medicine.
Gov. Patrick signed the bill into law at the Joslin Diabetes Center just before he headed to San Diego, Calif. for an international biotechnology conference, BIO, where WPI is represented by faculty and administration members.
For more information on the legislation and BIO, please click on the following links:
