New Hampshire Life Sciences adds new members to close out first year

BEDFORD, NH – Three more companies have become members of New Hampshire Life Sciences, and five have joined as associate members, as the statewide association that is working to drive growth and awareness of the state’s multi-billion-dollar life sciences industry closes out its first year.

In its inaugural year, 23 companies joined the association. The group’s mission is to connect life sciences industry companies, get them together, “and really facilitate the advancement of the life sciences industry across the state,” Andrea Hechavarria, NHLS president and CEO, told Ink Link earlier this year.

NHLS members announced this month are:

• Resonetics, a Nashua firm that specializes in medical device advanced engineering, prototyping, product development and micro-manufacturing;
• BA Sciences, a Salem full-service analytical testing laboratory;
• Ovik Health, of Portsmouth, a healthcare technology company with products ranging from wound and burn dressings, compression solutions, to tapes and bandages.

NHLS also welcomed its first tranche of associate member companies. Associate members play a critical role in supporting the life sciences industry and its ecosystem, NHLS said in a news release.

Associate members are:

• Decco, of Nashua, which provides specialized construction, maintenance, critical equipment handling, and fabrication services to leading biopharmaceutical, technology, and industrial clients throughout New England;
• Ethikos Tech, a regional IT professional services firm;
• Middlesex Gases, a regional third-generation company manufacturing and analyzing specialty gases for biotechnology and life science companies;
• Piquette and Howard Electrical, of Plaistow, a service-disabled veteran-owned small business and regional electrical contractor that has an extensive portfolio of life sciences companies;
• SkyTerra, a Nashua provider of customized IT support for life sciences and biotech companies.

“NHLS was formed to connect and convene the industry to facilitate its broader advancement across the state and we are pleased to welcome these innovative and leading NH companies to NHLS,” Hechavarria said in the release. “As a newly formed association, our members have the unique ability to help guide the direction of New Hampshire’s life sciences growth. We leverage our partners and network to provide our members with opportunities to collectively engage with business and government leaders, academic institutions, and other stakeholders to build a vibrant life sciences ecosystem and community.”

The heads of the new organizations said they are thrilled and excited to be part of the trade organization that is working to promote the industry and bring new businesses, to the state.

“We look forward to our collaborations launching New Hampshire as the leading hub for life science companies,” said Resonetics President and CEO Kevin Kelly.

James E. Mich, president of BA Sciences, said, “As a New Hampshire-based organization, we are excited to help promote awareness and be a part of the ongoing expansion of the life science industry in the Granite State.”

DECCO is excited about becoming “part of a dynamic community dedicated to innovation and growth within New Hampshire’s life sciences sector,” said Caryn Morse, DECCO director of media and marketing. “We are committed to supporting this vital industry and further strengthening the state’s position as a hub for scientific innovation. We look forward to collaborating with fellow members and contributing to the ongoing development of life sciences in New Hampshire,.”

Partnerships and new opportunities are key factors in joining the association, the businesses said.

“Our team feels privileged to work daily with exceptionally talented professionals and scientists in the life sciences field across Massachusetts and Connecticut. We look forward to building the same long-lasting relationships with our neighbors to the north in the Granite State,” said Ron Perry, director of sales and marketing for Middlesex Gases. “The launch of New Hampshire Life Science has opened up many new opportunities for the industry to advance. In the coming years, we are excited to foster successful partnerships and contribute to the groundbreaking discoveries that NHLS members are pursuing, which will shape the future,”

David Howard, CEO of P&H Electric noted that NHLS “has grown quickly to become an influential conduit to connecting and facilitating the advancement of the life science industry in New Hampshire.”

“All of us in the construction industry will benefit tremendously through these efforts for years to come,” he said. “We look forward to adding value wherever and whenever needed.”

The partnership with the association “aligns perfectly with our mission to drive innovation and empower the NH Life Sciences community,” said Dan Bergeron, partner at SkyTerra. “We look forward to collaborating with industry leaders to advance cutting-edge solutions that improve health outcomes and enhance the quality of life for communities worldwide.”

NHLS has several tiers of membership: Life Science Industry Members are for-profit companies in the broader life sciences industry; Associate Industry Members are businesses that provide consulting, business services and products to the life sciences industry; there’s also a tier for nonprofit, academic and government members.

Hechavarria told Ink Link earlier this year that the group plans to be a partner with the state in recruiting life sciences businesses to locate in New Hampshire. NHLS works closely with the state Department of Business and Economic Advancement, and as businesses look for more information on locating in New Hampshire, or expanding here, the association will work with the state in helping them understand the industry.

NHLS also plans to achieve its mission of connecting and advancing the industry through member programs and events, networking, offering industry intelligence, peer collaboration and services, and more, she said.