Press Release
New UMass Lowell Medical Device Development Center To Foster Industry Growth
$150,000 Grant From State’s John Adams Innovation Institute To Fund Initial Activities
February 21, 2007
LOWELL -- The John Adams Innovation Institute today announced a $150,000 grant for UMass Lowell’s Mass Medical Device Development Center (M2D2). With the funds, the center will help inventors turn new medical product ideas into prototypes likely to secure federal and private funding.
“We are excited to assist potential new medical device companies,” says UMass Lowell’s Prof. Stephen McCarthy, co-director of M2D2. “We aim to help inventors move from idea to prototype – and, ultimately, secure private backing.”
Joseph D. Downing, Chief Operating Officer for the John Adams Innovation Institute says, “The medical device industry is a critical component of the life sciences super cluster in Massachusetts. We are proud to partner with UMass Lowell and UMass Worcester to unlock the significant potential for economic growth that exists in this sector.”
UMass Worcester is partnering with the Lowell campus on the project. “The UMass collaboration brings to bear the strengths of each campus in assisting the medical device industry,” says Thomas Chmura, UMass Vice President for Economic Development. “UMass Lowell brings its plastics engineering expertise, while UMass Worcester brings its clinical research expertise.” Sheila Noone, director of clinical research at Worcester and M2D2 co-director, says her campus’s clinical trial capabilities will enable companies to undertake animal trials for new devices.
Hooks Johnston, Smith & Nephew (ret.) and chair of the M2D2 steering committee, says “Investors are shying away from funding new ideas early on. We will never know how many lives could be impacted by the new medical products that were never produced. That’s why the industry is backing M2D2.”
UMass Lowell, a comprehensive university with a national reputation in science, engineering and technology, is committed to educating students for lifelong success in a diverse world and conducting research and outreach activities that sustain the economic, environmental and social health of the region. UML offers its 11,000 students more than 120 degree choices, internships, five-year combined bachelor’s to master’s programs and doctoral studies in the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Engineering and Management, the School of Health and Environment, and the Graduate School of Education. www.uml.edu.
The John Adams Innovation Institute is the economic development division of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative. It is working to grow the state’s innovation economy by convening leaders from industry, government, and academia, conducting objective research and analysis, making strategic investments and creating cutting-edge initiatives. For more information, please visit www.masstech.org.