#United States #Cambridge #Bristol Myers Squibb #Deck Bio #ReTrax Therapeutics

Deck Bio and ReTrax Therapeutics Awarded 2025 Bristol Myers Squibb Golden Tickets

On October 8, 2025, LabCentral announced the recipients of the prestigious LabCentral Golden Tickets, with Deck Bio and ReTrax Therapeutics emerging as the winners. Sponsored by Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS), this significant recognition highlights their contributions to burgeoning biotechnology innovations in a competitive landscape.

These awards are not just symbolic; each Golden Ticket comes with a substantial credit worth $50,000, which the winners can use towards space and essential services at LabCentral's flagship site located at 700 Main Street in Cambridge, Massachusetts. This funding can be utilized over the course of 13 months and represents critical support for the startups as they navigate the complexities of biotech development.

Bristol Myers Squibb, noted for its dedication to fostering innovation within local life sciences communities, played a central role in the awarding of these Golden Tickets. "Our support for LabCentral's Golden Ticket Program empowers startups that are engaged in groundbreaking work with the potential to revolutionize patient care through new medicines," expressed Emma Lees, Senior VP of Oncology Research and the Cambridge site head for BMS. The company's commitment not only champions innovative research but also solidifies Cambridge's position as a hub of global biotech activity.

Maggie O'Toole, the CEO of LabCentral, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the importance of providing teams with resources essential for their growth and success. She emphasized Bristol Myers Squibb's broader engagement in the startup ecosystem, which fosters productive and lasting relationships that benefit the entire community.

About the Winners

Deck Bio

Deck Bio is pioneering the development of T-cell receptor (TCR) therapeutics, designed to offer superior safety and efficacy against cancer targets. Their innovative platform allows for multi-target recognition with a single therapeutic agent, which is expected to enhance the response rates while reducing the chances of drug resistance.

These advanced TCR therapeutics target cancer-specific peptide-MHCs that are highly expressed, ensuring broader patient coverage. As cancer treatment moves towards more personalized and precise therapies, Deck Bio's contributions could prove pivotal in improving patient outcomes.

ReTraX Therapeutics

ReTraX Therapeutics is at the forefront of gene therapy, focusing on a one-time adeno-associated virus (AAV) therapy aimed at Huntington's disease (HD). By upregulating FAN1, a critical DNA-repair enzyme, this therapy stabilizes pathogenic repeat expansions, paving the way for durable, disease-modifying treatment options. Following its initial foray into HD, ReTraX plans to extend its innovations to myotonic dystrophy (DM1) and other repeat expansion disorders.

About LabCentral

Established in 2013, LabCentral serves as a vital launchpad for high-potential life sciences and biotech startups. Spanning over 200,000 square feet across Kendall Square in Cambridge and the Harvard University campus, LabCentral not only provides fully permitted laboratory and office space but also fosters vital programming and networking to help entrepreneurs thrive.

In just over a decade, LabCentral has seen its residents raise more than $20 billion in funding and create upwards of 7,000 jobs, firmly establishing itself as a crucial component in the landscape of biotechnological advancements.

The recognition of companies like Deck Bio and ReTraX Therapeutics through Bristol Myers Squibb's Golden Ticket initiative underscores a commitment to nurturing innovation and supporting the next wave of scientific breakthroughs capable of impacting millions worldwide.