A Year On, Mass. Life Sciences Act Fuels Research

During the initiative's first year, she said, the state spent $46 million to leverage $357 million in matching dollars, most from the private sector.

That translates into about 950 jobs — not only in construction but also permanent, higher wage jobs, she said.

"We've taken every taxpayer dollar and turned it into an additional $8 dollars of investment," she said.

Dr. Richard Lee, a cardiologist at Brigham & Women's Hospital, is one of those benefiting from the initiative. Lee will receive $250,000 each year for three years to fund his work modifying a normal human protein to help heal cartilage injuries.

"It came out of basic science being done in our lab but it has real potential if you acutely hurt the cartilage in your knee or for certain types of arthritis," Lee said.

The grant also has allowed him to form a partnership with Milford-based Biomeasure Inc. with an eye toward turning the research into a drug.

Despite the potential, not everyone is convinced the initiative is worth the cost.