Rhode Island Life Science Hub and RI Bio Formalize Partnership to Strengthen Rhode Island's Life Sciences Industry

Agreement builds on existing collaboration and a shared commitment to connecting, supporting, and growing Rhode Island's life sciences community

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – October 22, 2026 – The Rhode Island Life Science Hub (RILSH) and RI Bio today announced a formal partnership to strengthen collaboration, align strategic priorities, and advance their shared mission of growing Rhode Island's life sciences industry.

Rhode Island is home to internationally recognized life sciences companies, leading academic and research institutions, established manufacturing capabilities, and a growing community of entrepreneurs developing new medical technologies and therapies. Despite these strengths, the state's industry has historically faced challenges in connecting resources, retaining emerging companies, and building recognition beyond its borders.

“Rhode Island has an extraordinary foundation for life sciences innovation, with world-class research, established industry leaders, and a growing community of entrepreneurs,” said Glenn Robertelli, Executive Director of RI Bio. “For more than a decade, RI Bio has worked to bring this community together and champion its potential. Formalizing our partnership with the Life Science Hub is an exciting next step in that work, allowing us to build on our respective strengths, expand our collective reach, and create more opportunities for the companies and people driving this industry forward.”

Founded in 2013 as MedMates, RI Bio has spent more than a decade supporting Rhode Island's life sciences community through industry advocacy, education, workforce development, networking, and entrepreneurial resources. Established by the Rhode Island General Assembly in 2023, RILSH serves as the state's central coordinating entity for life sciences, connecting and investing in academia, industry, clinical care, and capital to support innovation and economic development.

The organizations have already collaborated through RILSH's Life Science Partner program, which has supported RI Bio's efforts to expand startup resources, mentorship, and access to funding. The new agreement formalizes their commitment to working together and builds on the complementary roles each organization plays in advancing the industry.

“Rhode Island has the talent, the research, and the industry expertise to become an important part of the New England life sciences economy,” said Robert M. Cormier, President and CEO of the Rhode Island Life Science Hub. “Our opportunity now is to connect those strengths in ways that help companies move faster, bring innovations to market, and create lasting jobs here in Rhode Island. RI Bio has been building relationships across this industry for years, and we're excited to work more closely together to turn that shared vision into meaningful progress.”

The partnership comes amid growing momentum in Rhode Island's life sciences sector. Since its establishment in June 2023, RILSH has approved $21.5 million across 68 awards and disbursed $16.5 million to companies and organizations, according to its FY2026 Annual Report. These investments include support for Rhode Island's first commercial life sciences incubator, Ocean State Labs, which opened in May 2026.

As the state continues to invest in research commercialization, laboratory infrastructure, and business growth, industry collaboration and awareness will play an increasingly important role in helping companies establish, expand, and remain in Rhode Island.

Under the agreement, RILSH and RI Bio will coordinate and co-promote programs and events, share resources where appropriate, and collaborate on long-term strategies to strengthen Rhode Island's life sciences ecosystem. The organizations will also explore opportunities for joint initiatives and closer engagement with companies, researchers, investors, healthcare institutions, and other industry

stakeholders.

“The growth of Rhode Island's life sciences industry has always depended on people and organizations coming together around a common purpose,” said Patrice Milos, Ph.D., member of the Rhode Island Life Science Hub Board of Directors and former Board Chair of RI Bio. “We've made tremendous progress in building the infrastructure, resources, and relationships that companies need to succeed. This partnership reflects the spirit of collaboration that has brought us this far and will be essential to realizing the full potential of Rhode Island's life sciences community.”

Together, RILSH and RI Bio aim to strengthen Rhode Island's position within the broader New England life sciences industry, raise awareness of the state's capabilities, and help create an environment where scientific discoveries can become successful companies, innovative technologies can reach patients, and businesses can grow and create jobs in Rhode Island.

About the Rhode Island Life Science Hub

The Rhode Island Life Science Hub (RILSH) is a quasi-public state entity working to grow and serve Rhode Island’s life-science community — investing in, coordinating, and connecting academia, industry, clinical care, and capital to translate innovation into economic growth and improved health. Its vision is a Rhode Island recognized as a global life-science leader — a destination where companies from anywhere can build and grow, and where discovery becomes better health for people everywhere. As the state’s central coordinating organization for life sciences, RILSH is a gateway into Rhode Island’s research institutions, health systems, and talent — bringing companies and partners together to advance medical and scientific breakthroughs.

About RI Bio

RI Bio is the professional trade association for the life sciences industry in Rhode Island and Southeastern New England. Dedicated to growing the region's life sciences economy, RI Bio advances the industry through education, collaboration, and advocacy. The organization connects companies, researchers, entrepreneurs, and industry professionals with resources, capital, and opportunities to drive innovation, strengthen the workforce, and expand the economic impact of life sciences throughout the region.