Awards
Congratulations to the 2023 winners!

Start-up of the Year
The Start-up of the Year award recognizes a burgeoning company that has blossomed into an industry leader through growth and innovation. Nominees can include companies that have raised substantial funding, innovated scientific advances, or created solutions to biology and business obstacles. The winning company will have smart leadership with a sustainable business model that poises it for long-term success in the years to come.
Aera Therapeutics - Winner
Other Finalists:
- Eascra Biotech
- neuro42,Inc.
- ElevateBio
- Droplet Biosciences
- Vincere Biosciences

DE&I Initiative
The DE&I Initiative award recognizes an organization or group that has advanced diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace by championing the perspectives and contributions of employees representing marginalized groups. To be considered, an organization must have a welcoming and inclusive culture, with diversity manifesting throughout its corporate structure, including in positions of leadership.
Massachusetts Life Sciences Center - Winner
Other Finalists:
- Georgette Moussallem, CFI Credit Financier Invest
- Premier, Inc.
- Blueprint Medicines
- Reginald Swift, Rubix LS
- Latinos in Bio

Biotech Innovation
The Biotech Innovation award recognises a company or organisation that has conceived a new or advancing biopharmaceutical product, manufacturing process or ground-breaking technology that yielded significant results.
Prime Medicine - Winner
Other Finalists:
- Absci
- Amolyt Pharma
- Delix Therapeutics
- Aurion Biotech
- Palleon Pharmaceuticals
- Senda Biosciences
- First Ascent Biomedical
Deal of the Year
The Deal of the Year award recognizes the companies and individuals involved in forming a transformative business partnership, such as a major drug-licensing agreement or a successful merger/acquisition deal between companies. Deals that are considered for the award will be newsworthy and ambitious, and they will be projected to move the industry toward making positive impacts on the lives of patients.
Nimbus Therapeutics - Winner
Other Finalists:
- Arcellx
- Ipsen
- Lantheus
- Volastra Therapeutics
Talent Acceleration
The Talent Acceleration award recognizes an organization that has shown exceptional aptitude for training workers to develop the skills they need to thrive in the rapidly growing biopharmaceutical industry. To be considered, a company must offer a best-in-class training and development program with a proven track record of excellence that sets a new standard for the industry at large.
Alexion Pharmaceuticals - Winner
Other Finalists:
- Biotechnology Business Institute
- Beam Therapeutics
- Synterex, Inc

Sustainability Initiative
The Sustainability Initiative award recognizes the company that best embodies the spirit of ESG through a conscious effort to improve its environmental impact through policy, training, and innovation. To be considered, an organization must show commitment to the welfare of the planet by prioritizing its carbon-footprint reduction and by embedding environmentally conscious thinking into its company culture.
Synterex, Inc. - Winner
Clinical Advance of the Year
The Clinical Advance of the Year award recognizes an emerging drug that has passed through clinical trials and is expected to have a ground-breaking impact on healthcare in the years to come. The winner of this award will be an exciting new drug that not only stands to improve patient outcomes, but also holds promise for changing the standard of care for a given indication.
Aurion Biotech - Winner
Other Finalists:
- PepGen Inc.
- Alexion Pharmaceuticals
- Chiesi Global Rare Diseases
- Rhythm Pharmaceuticals
- First Ascent Biomedical
Lifetime Achievement Award
The Lifetime Achievement award recognizes an exceptional individual who has served the industry beyond the call of duty throughout a distinguished career. To be considered for this prestigious international award, a nominee will have committed decades to enhancing the lives of others through drug development, patient care, innovation, training, and/or meeting other critical needs within the biotechnology or pharmaceutical arena.
Pearl Huang, Dunad Therapeutics - Winner
Other Finalists:
- Sarfaraz K. Niazi, PhD, Founder Novel351k, Inc and Professor, University of Illinois at Chicago.
- Greg Verdine, LifeMine Therapeutics & FogPharma
- Edward M. Kaye, Stoke Therapeutics
- Howard Levine, Retired Biopharmaceutical Executive
Boston Highlight
The Boston Highlight award recognizes a standout life-sciences organization or person based in the Boston area that has made a significant contribution to the biopharmaceutical industry over the past year. Nominees will have propelled scientific innovation, made advances in novel technologies, or contributed significantly to the health and welfare of patients. This award will consider a breadth of candidates and can recognize a leader from industry, academia, medicine, digital health, or healthcare.
Droplet Biosciences - Winner
Other Finalists:
- 2seventy bio
- Cullinan Oncology
- AI Proteins
- Servier
- Manan Shah, G&L Healthcare Advisors
Transformational Therapy
The Transformational Therapy award recognizes innovation in the discovery, development, delivery, and/or market accessibility of an advanced-therapy drug product that is designed to treat rare diseases with currently unmet medical needs. This award celebrates the industry’s growth in the advanced-therapy sector and recognizes a company or individual spearheading efforts to bring much-needed therapies to patients.
VYVGART™, Argenx - Winner
Other Finalists:
- Blueprint Medicines
- Chiesi Global Rare Diseases
- GRO Biosciences
- Rhythm Pharmaceuticals
- Agios Pharmaceuticals
