BOSTON —Boston Life Sciences Times, New England’s premier source for news in pharma, biotech, medtech, and public health, has announced the winners of its 2025 Vanguard Awards, honoring companies and leaders driving innovation, collaboration, and transformative impact across the life sciences ecosystem.
This year’s honorees were selected from over 100 nominations by the readers, reviewed by the Boston Life Sciences Times editorial team.
“These pioneering organizations and leaders represent the best of what our life sciences community stands for — vision, courage, and an unwavering commitment to improving human health,” said Upendra Mishra, Publisher of Boston Life Sciences Times and its sister publications Boston Real Estate Times, IndUS Business Journal and India New England News. “Each of them is reshaping the future of science and medicine in ways that will be felt for generations.”
Mishra added, “Boston remains the global capital of life sciences because of companies like these — who innovate not just in the lab, but in how they think, collaborate, and lead. The Vanguard Awards celebrate that spirit of excellence and inspiration.”
The 2025 Vanguard Awards Ceremony will take place on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at the Burlington Marriott Hotel in Burlington, MA, from 7:30 to 10:00 a.m. Honorees will also be profiled in an upcoming issue of Boston Life Sciences Times.
To reguster for the award ceremony, please click here.
Life Sciences Company of the Year
Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Vertex continues to set the standard for transformative therapies, developing and commercializing groundbreaking treatments for serious diseases such as cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia, and acute pain. With a robust R&D pipeline spanning nephrology, neurology, and genetic diseases, Vertex’s research is guided by deep biological insights and a commitment to curative outcomes. Founded in 1989 and headquartered in Boston, Vertex employs thousands globally and is consistently recognized as one of the industry’s top workplaces. Its 16-year streak on Science magazine’s “Top Employers” list and consistent inclusion in Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For underscore a culture that values both innovation and people — making Vertex a fitting recipient of the Life Sciences Company of the Year award.
Breakthrough Gene Therapy Pioneer Award
Affinia Therapeutics
Affinia Therapeutics is advancing a new class of rationally engineered AAV gene therapies for severe cardiovascular and neurological diseases. The company recently closed a $40 million Series C financing led by NEA, with participation from Eli Lilly & Company and other premier investors, to accelerate its lead program AFTX-201 for BAG3 dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Built on Affinia’s AI-enabled discovery platform, AFTX-201 uses a novel cardiotropic capsid designed for efficient cardiac delivery at low doses. Preclinical data show complete restoration of cardiac function in disease models, highlighting its first-in-class potential. With an IND planned for late 2025, Affinia earns this award for pioneering transformative, precision gene therapy solutions.
Medical Device Innovation Award
Amplitude Vascular Systems (AVS)
Amplitude Vascular Systems (AVS) is redefining treatment for severely calcified arterial disease with its PULSE IVL™ platform, supported by a recent $36 million Series B financing. The company launched the POWER PAD II U.S. IDE trial in late 2024, enrolling up to 120 patients to evaluate its novel intravascular lithotripsy technology for femoropopliteal disease. Unlike traditional IVL devices, the PULSE IVL™ System operates without electrical emitters, improving deliverability and efficiency in complex anatomy. Additional financing will advance coronary and carotid IDE studies with leading clinical partners. For its differentiated approach and rapid clinical progress, AVS receives this year’s Medical Device Innovation Award.
Innovator of the Year
BostonGene
BostonGene is revolutionizing precision oncology by integrating omnimodal data and artificial intelligence to transform cancer care. Its proprietary Foundation Model of cancer and the immune system synthesizes genomic, transcriptomic, and immune data with clinical outcomes, producing actionable insights that accelerate drug discovery and optimize therapeutic responses. By enabling biopharma partners to de-risk trials, identify new targets, and personalize treatment strategies, BostonGene is redefining how data science drives patient care. Recognized globally for bridging computational biology and clinical practice, BostonGene embodies the next frontier of medicine — where technology and biology converge to deliver true precision health.
Emerging Industry Enabler Award
LabShares
Labshares is reshaping how biotech companies start and scale. As Greater Boston’s leading shared laboratory operator, Labshares provides turnkey lab and office space, access to $10 million in high-end instrumentation, and in-house operational and compliance support — reducing lab operating costs by up to 70%. With nearly 90% occupancy across its Newton facilities and a new 57,000-square-foot expansion underway in Watertown, Labshares enables emerging biotechs to grow sustainably. Unlike traditional incubators, Labshares supports members for the long term, reflecting the evolving biotech model: lean teams, milestone-driven R&D, and capital efficiency. For transforming how science scales, Labshares earns the 2025 Emerging Industry Enabler Award.
Public Policy Leadership Award
MassBio
The Massachusetts Biotechnology Council (MassBio) continues to lead the nation in life sciences advocacy, workforce development, and economic growth. Representing over 1,700 members, MassBio drives industry progress through policy engagement, strategic partnerships, and cost-saving initiatives that empower biotech companies of all sizes. Its mission is to accelerate innovation and enhance patient outcomes by fostering collaboration across academia, government, and industry. Founded in 1985, MassBio has cemented Massachusetts’ position as the world’s life sciences hub — a testament to its unrelenting advocacy and commitment to advancing cures, supporting members, and strengthening the Commonwealth’s competitive edge.
Manufacturing Excellence Award
Rentschler Biopharma, Inc.
Rentschler Biopharma is redefining contract development and manufacturing with precision, reliability, and global reach. Its U.S. subsidiary in Milford, MA, recently completed the largest expansion in company history — adding 22,000 square feet of cleanroom space and doubling global cGMP capacity. The state-of-the-art facility, equipped with four 2,000-liter single-use bioreactors, enables Rentschler to serve clients developing therapies across oncology, hematology, cardiovascular, and rare diseases. With more than 150 years of biopharma expertise, the company’s commitment to quality, innovation, and partnership has earned it the 2025 Manufacturing Excellence Award — reflecting its role as a trusted partner bringing life-changing treatments to patients worldwide.
Global Leadership in Life Sciences Award
MilliporeSigma
As the Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, MilliporeSigma empowers scientific discovery, biomanufacturing, and testing across the globe. With 26,000 employees, 55 facilities, and over 300,000 products, the company delivers solutions that advance health, technology, and sustainability. MilliporeSigma’s pioneering technologies underpin research and production pipelines that drive global innovation, while its commitment to responsible entrepreneurship ensures science remains a force for good. The company’s 350-year legacy of curiosity and excellence continues to define the future of life sciences, earning MilliporeSigma the 2025 Global Leadership in Life Sciences Award.
Excellence in Life Sciences Law Award
Ropes & Gray LLP
Ropes & Gray stands at the forefront of life sciences and healthcare law, guiding the world’s top biopharma, medical device, and digital health companies through complex regulatory, transactional, and litigation challenges. With a global network of experts spanning the U.S., Europe, and Asia, the firm advises clients on cutting-edge issues including compliance, FDA regulation, and False Claims Act defense. Led by Andrew O’Connor, co-head of the Health Care and Life Sciences Group, Ropes & Gray exemplifies strategic legal leadership and industry insight. For its unmatched influence in shaping life sciences law and policy, the firm receives the 2025 Excellence in Life Sciences Law Award.
Scientific Achievement Award
Takeda Pharmaceuticals
Takeda’s enduring mission — to create better health for people and a brighter future for the world — continues to fuel breakthroughs in oncology, rare diseases, neuroscience, and vaccines. This year, the award recognizes Dr. Meena Subramanyam, Vice President, Global Program Leader and Portfolio Lead in Oncology Clinical Development, for her leadership in translating discovery into transformative therapies. With decades of experience in drug and companion diagnostic development, Dr. Subramanyam exemplifies Takeda’s scientific excellence and human-centered innovation. Her work embodies Takeda’s values-driven approach and its legacy as a trusted biopharma leader committed to patients, people, and the planet.
Transformative Product of the Year
TAR-200 (now marketed as INLEXZO™ by Johnson & Johnson
Originally developed as TAR-200 by TARIS Biomedical under Dr. Purnanand Sarma’s leadership and now owned and commercialized by Johnson & Johnson, INLEXZO™ represents a paradigm shift in bladder cancer treatment. The first FDA-approved intravesical drug-releasing system (iDRS), INLEXZO™ delivers chemotherapy directly to the bladder for three weeks via a small, floating device — transforming outcomes for patients with BCG-unresponsive non–muscle invasive bladder cancer. The product achieved an impressive 82% complete response rate in trials, potentially eliminateing the need for radical cystectomy (bladder removal) in many cases. This first-of-its-kind innovation, born from persistence, precision, and partnership, earns TAR-200 the 2025 Transformative Product of the Year Award — honoring science that changes lives.
