A bioscience firm with headquarters on South Street recently announced a merger.

Isto Biologics, which bills itself as “a global leader in regenerative and autologous therapies,” has partnered with Advanced Biologics, a California company known commercially as Biologica Technologies.

The companies had been working together since 2020 prior to the merger, which became official in October.

“We are delighted to welcome the entire Advanced Biologics team to Isto Biologics,” Isto CEO Donald Brown said in a company press release. “This merger brings together the best of both companies’ expertise and a shared commitment to help patients heal faster.”

According to the press release, the merger will expand Isto’s growing portfolio of bone grafts and seamlessly integrate Advanced Biologics’ proprietary products alongside Influx, Isto’s esteemed line of cortical fiber allografts.

Lykan Bioscience now RoslinCT

Also on South Street, Lykan Bioscience now is known as RoslinCT. The companies entered into a business agreement in 2022 and then merged this past June, spurred by the global investment firm GHO Capital.

According to a press release, the company will be run by Peter Coleman in the United Kingdom and Patrick Lucy in the United States.

“The newly formed organization will offer a comprehensive range of services, including process development, analytical testing, clinical and commercial cGMP manufacturing and cGMP iPSC cell line development, gene editing and differentiation,” the release continues. “These services will empower cell and gene therapy developers to advance their products through clinical trials and bring them to market.”

“We are thrilled about the integration of two leading organizations in the advanced cell and gene therapy space, resulting in 22 cGMP processing suites, enhanced expertise, resources and transatlantic cGMP manufacturing capabilities to support the development and commercialization of advanced cell and gene therapies worldwide,” stated Lucy, who had been Lyman’s president and CEO.

The release also states that the manufacturing facility located in Hopkinton will remain operational under the RoslinCT brand, with plans for further capacity expansion on both sides of the Atlantic to meet the global growing demand for advanced cell and gene therapy manufacturing services.

HCCCF supports Open Table

Open Table, a MetroWest charity dedicated to fighting hunger and building healthy communities, recently announced the receipt of a grant from the Hopkinton Country Club Charitable Foundation. The generous donation will bolster Open Table’s ongoing efforts to provide essential personal care items alongside grocery and prepared meals to local families grappling with food insecurity.

Personal care items, such as shampoo, toothpaste, laundry detergent, household cleaners and diapers, often are overlooked necessities that can strain already tight budgets. These items are expensive and are not covered by public assistance programs such as SNAP or WIC, making them financially out of reach for many families. The grant from the Hopkinton Country Club Charitable Foundation enables Open Table to bridge this gap, ensuring that clients can maintain their dignity and create a healthy home environment.

Open Table Executive Director Alexandra DePalo emphasized the importance of the grant, stating, “Personal care items are essential to the well-being of our clients and their families. The generous support from Hopkinton Country Club Charitable Foundation allows us to fulfill a fundamental need, creating a more comprehensive and dignified approach to combating hunger. We are deeply grateful for their commitment to building healthier communities.”

Central One boosts Baypath

At the beginning of December, Central One Federal Credit Union employees and their guests came together for a special casino-themed holiday party. This year’s celebration was about more than enjoying the holiday together; it also was about giving back. At night’s end, attendees cashed in their casino chips for raffle tickets, with 15 winners choosing a worthy 501(c)(3) organization to receive a donation of $1,000 on Central One’s behalf. Among the charities that winners selected to receive a monetary donation from Central One was Baypath Humane Society in Hopkinton.