BioTech Expert Joins JLL To Grow Life Sciences Practice

BOSTON – JLL has appointed Robert Coughlin to managing director in the firm’s life sciences industry practice.

As the departing president and CEO of the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council, the New England trade association and policy advocacy group, Coughlin will join the firm in his new role in early 2021.

As managing director, Coughlin will serve life sciences companies in the greater Boston market, as well as other primary and secondary life sciences markets.

According to JLL’s Q3 2020 greater Boston life sciences report, the region has been identified global epicenter of life science activity, with more than 50 local universities, numerous world-class research hospitals and more than $15 billion in private venture capital investment within the past years. The area is additionally home to 19 or the 20 largest biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies by market comp.

Coughlin will serve his new role utilizing his previous experience, which spans both the public and private sectors.

Prior to serving the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council, Coughlin served as the undersecretary of economic development within Governor Deval Patrick’s administration, where he worked on healthcare and economic development issues and advocated for the life sciences industry in Massachusetts. Prior to that, he was elected as State Representative to the 11th Norfolk district for three terms.

Coughlin also previously held senior executive positions in the environmental services, capital management and venture capital industries.

“Bob has a strong pedigree of leadership in the life sciences industry, and I could not be more excited to have him join the firm,” states Travis McCready, executive director and national practice leader of JLL life sciences. “He’s known throughout the industry as both a champion of patients, and an indefatigable partner committed to ensuring that life sciences companies have the best environment possible to uncover breakthrough therapies for people around the world.”

“Bob brings both passion and energy to all of his endeavors and it shows in his results,” says Jim Tierney, managing director of the New England market at JLL. “As funding continues to fuel demand across Greater Boston, our clients couldn’t be getting a better partner than Bob to help them navigate the increasingly competitive life sciences real estate landscape.”

“In a time when our life science clients are taking stock of their approach to real estate and how it can further their mission, Bob will be an invaluable advisor to them,” states Matt Daniels, New England brokerage lead at JLL. “Bob understands this space as well as anyone and is uniquely suited to partner with life sciences companies and investors. His commitment to the industry coupled with his deep knowledge and agile leadership will help drive our business and help drive innovation in this space.”

A graduate of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, where he majored in marine engineering and served as an officer in the United States Naval Reserve, Coughlin was also awarded for his leadership in biotechnology by the Massachusetts Society for Medical Research in 2014.

In 2015, he received the NTSAD advocate of the year and in 2016, he was named to the Boston Business Journal’s Power 50, Top 50 Most Influential Bostonians. In 2016, he was also honored with the Boston Biotech CEO Lifetime Achievement Award. He was recently honored with the Trailblazer Award from the Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center, and recognized as a Healthcare Star by the by the Massachusetts Health Council.