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Dear Rhode Island Life Science Community,
As we navigate a period of uncertainty, I would like to reflect not just on the challenges we face but the progress we've made and the opportunities before us.
Over the past year, Rhode Island has seen remarkable growth and activity due to our work and others in the region to build out the life sciences sector. By leveraging the strength of our academic institutions, health systems, industry partners, and entrepreneurs we’ve made meaningful progress in strengthening our ecosystem and laying the foundation for a thriving, innovation-driven future. These efforts take time and require sustained commitment. While federal actions have a direct impact on our academic partners, they also highlight the importance—and urgency—of what we’re building here in the state. Looking towards new partnership models and leveraging alternative sources of funding beyond federal dollars is a must.
U.S.-based science and medicine remain the envy of the world. Given the global challenges of emerging diseases, we must continue to explore new ways to advance global health. Innovation arising from science and exploration leads to real solutions.
Here at RILSH, we remain deeply committed to our mission. We are working closely in collaboration with partners across the state and across the life sciences sector locally, regionally, nationally and globally to do our very best to continue our momentum. Our Ocean State Labs incubator remains on schedule to open at the end of this calendar year. We are very excited about the value that Portal will bring to the region as the Ocean State Labs manager (Ocean State Labs powered by Portal). We have several companies that are looking to transition to our incubator space. Additionally, on May 20, Organogenesis will have a ribbon cutting celebration for their new manufacturing facility based in Smithfield, R.I. Further, recent announcements from BioPharma companies like Roche, Novartis, J&J, Lilly and others, about their intent to move manufacturing back to the U.S. and invest in the U.S. could be a great opportunity for our state. Lastly, we will soon be announcing additional investments through our life science business attraction programs. We will have invested over $10M dollars into companies and programs that will bring close to 250 new jobs to the region over the next 5 years.
Having witnessed the work, commitment, and dedication of our innovators, entrepreneurs, and industry partners—I’m encouraged about our direction and the success that can follow. Let’s look for opportunities in the face of uncertainty.
Thank you for being part of our growing community. We’re grateful for your continued support and partnership as we move forward together.
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