PEPPERELL – After 25 years of providing validation services and calibration devices for biotech giants such as Bristol-Myers Squibb, Merck and Pfizer, a small Lomar Park firm saw an opportunity to provide storage services as well.

Masy Systems, Inc., a privately held company, held a ribbon cutting last week for its new biopharma storage facility, which allows for the storage of biological and pharmaceutical ingredients and clinical samples at refrigerated, freezers, ambient and stability conditions.

The structure contains three parts, according to Masy’s marketing manager, Brian Ducharme: a 1,000-square-foot chamber at minus-80 degrees Celsius (-112 F); a 3,600-square-foot chamber at minus-20 degrees Celsius (-4 F); and a 3,600-square-foot chamber at 5 degrees Celsius (41 degrees F).

“We saw a need to expand into storage after seeing so many overcrowded cabinets (at customers’ facilities),” said Ducharme. “This space is critical for products about to undergo Stage 2 clinical trials, companies that are aiming for FDA approval.”

Masy funded the expansion with a $700,000 equipment loan through MassDevelopment. The quasi-government agency convinces banks to provide low-interest loans to businesses undergoing projects that result in hiring more workers. Masy hired five workers in the past year, bringing its total head count to 38.

In a statement, Masy CEO Laurie Masiello said the new facility “complements the services we provide to our existing customers and will foster relationships with new customers.”

As a private company, Masy does not disclose financial figures. But Ducharme said the company was doing well.

“Biotech is one of the few areas that has done well lately,” he said.

source: Lowell Sun - Thursday October 1, 2009
author: Dan O'Brien ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )