Press Release: 12/9/2025

December 8, 2025

Today, the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) welcomed stakeholders, investors, and industry leaders to Takeda’s Cambridge headquarters for the 2025 Massachusetts Next Generation (MassNextGen) Showcase, an afternoon dedicated to celebrating underrepresented entrepreneurs and strengthening connections across the Massachusetts innovation ecosystem.

Nine MassNextGen entrepreneurs pitched their companies to an audience of investors and industry stakeholders. The afternoon included an intimate networking environment with digital poster sessions and the opportunity for attendees to build a relationship with these innovative companies who are poised for growth.

“Thanks to the incredible dedication of our participants, mentors, and supporters, the MassNextGen Initiative has been an overwhelming success,” said MLSC President and CEO Kirk Taylor, MD. “We’ve seen founders thrive, companies scale, and a more equitable landscape begin to take shape.”

Additionally, the program featured a fireside chat with Massachusetts Executive Office of Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley and Takeda U.S. Business Unit President Rhonda Pacheco, who shared perspectives on today’s investment climate, the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s DRIVE Initiative, and the importance of inclusion in building a strong innovation economy.

The MassNextGen Initiative is designed to support underrepresented entrepreneurs by providing them with grant funding and year-round coaching sessions with serial entrepreneurs and subject matter experts.

The MLSC is grateful to our MassNextGen partners, with a special thanks to Takeda, the program’s Anchor Platinum Sponsor and host of this year’s showcase, for helping make the event possible.

2025 MassNextGen Showcase Entrepreneurs:

• Barlume Cosmetics – Erika Bechtold, CEO & Co-Founder

• DoriNano – Claire Zeng, Founder, CEO & CTO

• Gelectric Medical – Leah Borden, CEO

• General Prognostics – Sean Matsuoka, Co-Founder

• Akeyna – Karen Cronholm, CEO & Co-Founder

• Ernest Pharmaceuticals – Nele Van Dessel, CEO & Co-Founder

• PhagePro – Minmin Yen, CEO & Co-Founder

• Seaspire – Camille Martin, CEO & Co-Founder

• Robigo – Andee Wallace, CEO & Founder