Bioscience Association of Maine

The recent wave of expansions demonstrates that Maine’s life sciences sector is not only growing, but putting down long-term roots.

With $.3 million in funding from Maine Technology Institute, Somerville, Mass.-based Hatch.Bio Labs will develop a facility in Portland by the end of 2026.

The planned "wet lab" and business incubator would offer shared-use equipment to facilitate the use of liquids and biological materials for testing, experiments and product development.

A Life Science Innovation Center would focus on marketing Maine as a destination for innovation and research by advocating for policies that make the state more competitive.

Maine has 587 life science companies employing nearly 10,000 people, but ranks 37th in the nation for R&D. The center would drive statewide coordination, investment and program development to support long-term industry growth.

The $2.3 billion sector employed close to 10,000 Mainers in 2024.

A new report shows life sciences companies in Maine expanded their workforces by 31% between 2018 and 2023, and the sector now employs nearly 10,000 workers statewide.

While its technologies seem exotic, the challenges facing Maine’s life science industry are familiar. Once confined to Boston and San Francisco, the life science field is thriving in Maine.

Innovative firms in the growing niche range from big players like IDEXX and Covetrus to startups of more recent vintage, including Rarebreed Veterinary Partners and ElleVet Sciences.