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PHOTO courtesy of Bioscience Association of Maine
A BioME Member Tour & Networking Reception at the University of Maine’s Advanced Structures & Composites Center. BioME Tours provide an opportunity for members and guests to network while learning about some of Maine’s most innovative life science companies and institutions. These tours provide attendees with an in-depth view of the organization, their facility, and daily operations.
The Bioscience Association of Maine (BioME) is a collaboration of entrepreneurial life science companies, educators, students, and allied businesses focused on supporting Maine’s innovation economy today, while educating tomorrow’s scientists and entrepreneurs. From promising start-ups to globally known organizations, BioME (biomaine.org) provides opportunities for collaboration and promotion of the life science, biotechnology and device manufacturing sectors in Maine.
Maine has more than 484 life science companies, ranging from globally recognized organizations such as The Jackson Laboratory, IDEXX, The Baker Company, and Maine Molecular Quality Controls, Inc. to emerging entrepreneurial companies like Marin Skincare, Prapela, and Salmonics. All contribute to Maine’s economy, career opportunities, and quality of life.
In 2021, there were more than 10,690 bioscience related jobs in Maine. These jobs are well paying, with average earnings per job exceeding $108,000. Bioscience earnings per job, which represents the total annual earnings (wages, salaries, profits, benefits, and other compensation) divided by the number of jobs in the industry, are 74% more than the average earnings across all industries in Maine, at just below $63,000.
In 2021, the bioscience industry contributed $2.2 billion to the State’s economy (Data source: Economic Modeling Specialists Inc. - EMSI). BioME recognizes these critical economic underpinnings and has developed multiple programs to connect and support life science opportunities, educate Maine’s future workforce, and advocate for policies to grow this exciting future.
BioME believes that strong connections create opportunities. To act as a catalyst for connections, BioME hosts a variety of programs throughout the year, open to members and non-members alike.
Monthly virtual coffee hours expose attendees to research initiatives, innovative companies, life science movers and shakers, industry developments, and personal connections to buoy academic or professional undertakings. Company tours offer fascinating behind-the-scenes views into Maine’s research institutions and private companies. BioME Networking Receptions offer the opportunity to meet new friends and professional colleagues or make a key business connection in a fun and scenic setting. The people are friendly, the drinks are cold, and the food is delicious.
Visit biomaine.org/events/ for a complete list of upcoming events.
BioME also maintains a job board, updated weekly, to highlight job opportunities in Maine at all levels of experience. The job board can be accessed by visiting biomaine.org/job-board/.
If the rising costs of doing business are getting you down, BioME has a way to ease that burden. BioME member companies can save on goods and services routinely purchased. Through BioME’s Cost Savings Program, members access discounts and other benefits from leading suppliers and service providers via our partnerships with Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) and the recently added Manufacturers Association of Maine (MAME). Last year, BioME members saved more than $83 million on lab and office essentials through the BIO Business Solutions Savings Program alone. More information on all these programs can be found at biomaine.org/cost-savings/.
The future vitality of Maine’s life science economy depends on one thing: talent. A highly skilled workforce is essential for strong, sustainable, and balanced growth of companies, innovation clusters, opportunities for Maine citizens, and our economy.
With current average life science salaries exceeding $100,000, this sector presents tremendous opportunities for Maine’s citizens by enabling fulfilling careers while providing the prospect to stay in Maine – close to family, friends, and all that living in Maine has to offer.
As part of our mission, BioME develops and provides educational resources and opportunities aligning with industry needs. We start young – bringing the mystery and excitement of science to middle schoolers through our hugely successful Maine Bioscience Day. In 2021, Maine Bioscience Day reached 7,250 middle schoolers in 52 schools from Aroostook to York counties, and points east to west, a 271% increase since 2018. Hands-on science kits, experiments, videos, and live Q&A with scientists help unlock the excitement of science and open young minds to the possibilities of future careers.
The event is followed by the awarding of four full scholarships to attend the renowned Maine School of Science and Mathematics summer science camp in Limestone.
Being able to access ME Bioscience Day for the past two years has been a bright spot for students during the pandemic.
— Karen Boreham, Warsaw Middle School
Education support continues through high school, college, and post-graduate studies, working as a catalyst for Maine’s brightest young minds. BioME invests more than $75,000 annually in academic scholarships, research seed grants, and career development support, enabling studies, attendance at scientific conferences and summer science camps, and internships with key companies.
Our award recipients may best illustrate the positive impact of BioME’s educational programs:
“This semester, with the gift of the BioME Scholarship, I was able to reduce my work hours and devote more time to furthering my research in the laboratory and mentored a new undergraduate researcher.”
“I was hesitant to apply for the Education Internship because it was an unpaid position. Once I heard about the BioME Summer Internship Award, however, I was so excited that I could potentially take this internship without having to worry about money. The grant helped me get everything I needed for this internship.”
“I hope that the Bioscience Association of Maine continues to support students with these awards, thereby making the life science world more accessible and diverse.”
BioME’s staff, board and advocacy committee are committed to promoting a supportive policy, tax, and regulatory environment to strengthen incentives for innovation and business, including higher education R&D and startup companies. In today’s life science sector, Maine must compete globally, while also be mindful that the life science capital of the world is almost in our backyard in Massachusetts, with a history of progressive policies that have built the strongest life science economy in the world. While we’re competing globally, Maine can also benefit from opportunities presented by companies from around the world – many looking to establish a U.S.-based presence. These opportunities will only increase in response to global supply chain issues, political instability, and economic pressures on offshore operations.
BioME established an Advocacy Committee to help educate policy makers about the bioscience sector, its competitive landscape, and its opportunities while building relationships at key levels of government. We hold an annual legislative gathering where policy makers can learn about BioME’s programs, industry challenges, and political or economic impacts affecting the life science world, while meeting some of their constituent companies.
BioME is committed to increasing capital to advance bioscience in our State and building a strong bioscience workforce by supporting STEM education and workforce development initiatives.
Opportunities abound at BioME. New members are welcomed monthly to the roster of over 230 companies and organizations that are rising the bioscience tide in Maine. To be part of Maine’s future wave, contact Agnieszka Carpenter, Executive Director at agnieszka@biomaine.org.
28 Maple St., Suite 302, Portland, ME 04101
Sector: Life Science
Agnieszka Carpenter, Executive Director
Founded: 1995
Number of Maine employees: 3
