Bio4Dreams, Fondazione Monte dei Paschi di Siena, and Toscana Life Sciences have signed a framework agreement to boost the development of entrepreneurial projects in the Healthcare and Life Sciences sectors. The signing took place on December 5 at the headquarters of Fondazione Monte dei Paschi di Siena.

The agreement specifically focuses on the IKIGAI Life Science acceleration program, launched in July 2024.

IKIGAI Life Science is a program designed to support research teams and startups in developing innovations in the health sector. The program helps teams define their clinical development roadmap, business plans, and market entry strategies.

The three-year renewable agreement aims to:

• define and harmonize common activities in research, innovation, and technology transfer projects;
• promote entrepreneurship by providing services at both national and international levels;
• share opportunities derived from the Life Sciences networks of the involved organizations;
• develop collaborative projects tied to the local economic and industrial context;
• explore the possibility of providing incubation services and/or investments, jointly with Fondazione MPS, for entrepreneurial opportunities stemming from the IKIGAI Life Sciences program.

The shared goal is to strengthen the biotech ecosystem and increase the number of startups in the Life Sciences sector.

“Our relationship with the Tuscan region is solid and long-standing, as demonstrated by the agreement with TLS signed in 2019. We believe that our national and international positioning can amplify the efforts of Fondazione MPS and TLS in supporting startups, extending their impact beyond regional and national borders. Innovation in Life Sciences, particularly in its early stages, often faces challenges that can only be overcome through synergistic efforts, shared expertise, networks, and capital. With IKIGAI, we are committed to contributing to this process in the coming years, strengthening an excellent ecosystem like that of Siena and Tuscany.”

Elisabetta Borello, Co-founder, VP Strategy & External Relations of Bio4Dreams

“One of the strategic objectives of Fondazione MPS is to further strengthen the biotech ecosystem to increase the number of startups in the Life Sciences sector through the various initiatives of Fondazione MPS. From this perspective, the development of further synergies between TLS and IKIGAI, supported by this agreement, is therefore crucial.”

Carlo Rossi, President of Fondazione Mps

“Supporting the creation of innovative enterprises has been one of the missions of the TLS Foundation since its inception. With this agreement, we solidify a significant commitment to the region, shared with Fondazione MPS, thanks also to long-standing collaborations and partnerships like the one with Bio4Dreams. IKIGAI Life Science is the ideal vehicle to bring projects and innovative ideas to life, which we hope will find a home in our bioincubator or be supported in their growth journey through the expertise and network we provide.”

Andrea Paolini, General Manager of TLS