House approves $1 billion, 10-year life sciences bill

House lawmakers have approved their version of Gov. Deval Patrick's $1 billion, 10-year life sciences bill.

The bill is designed to bolster the state's biotech industry, spur job development and entice talented scientists and researchers at state institutions to stay in Massachusetts.

The bill would help fund an Advanced Therapeutics Center at the University of Massachusetts in Worcester and create a life sciences center at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst.

It also would establish grant funds to encourage post-doctoral and graduate students studying the life sciences and create training grants for pediatric stem cell research.

The bill now heads to the Senate.