Accelerate Your Innovation

BioPILOT Lab

The BioPILOT Lab offers members access to capital equipment that supports cell biology, microbiology, biochemistry and molecular biology research. Reserve lab space and cutting-edge tools to prototype, analyze, and develop your innovative processes and products.

BioPILOT is a Roux Institute membership program offered in collaboration with the University of Southern Maine (USM). USM also directs the BioIN Incubator program, offering short term leases of wet lab bench space in the USM Science Building, in proximity to the BioPILOT Lab. Both programs are supported by the Maine Technology Institute.

Whether you’re an early-stage startup, an established company, or an organization seeking flexible lab access, we’re here to support your innovation journey. Please complete the form below, and our team will reach out to discuss how we can help bring your ideas to life. We look forward to exploring the possibilities together!

Membership Is Ideal For:

Early-stage life science startups:

  1. Need flexible, part-time lab access
  2. Require basic equipment without long-term lease commitments

SBIR/STTR grant applicants and recipients:

  • Seeking short term access to lab space and equipment to generate data and test concepts
  • Seeking lab access to complete Phase I or Phase II contract projects

Pre-revenue and revenue-generating companies:

  1. Require specialized lab space and equipment for: cell biology, microbiology, biochemistry, and molecular biology
  2. Focused on product testing and application development
View Our Equipment List

Membership Benefits

Full laboratory access for:

  • Conducting experiments
  • Data collection and analysis
  • Product prototyping and testing
  • Process development

We handle:

  • Equipment maintenance
  • Lab operations
  • Basic supplies and consumables

You avoid:

  • Lab startup delays
  • Capital equipment costs
  • Facility setup and maintenance expenses
  • Complex ordering and receiving systems

We manage:

  • Safety training programs
  • Chemical hygiene protocols

Aligned with Northeastern University and University of Southern Maine standards

Close proximity to USM and Roux Institute resources:

  • Faculty and staff
  • Students
  • Research centers

Opportunities to engage with technical talent through:

  • USM student internships
  • Roux Institute co-op programs

Membership Details & Pricing

Laboratory Services & Scientific Expertise on Demand

In addition to memberships, the BioPILOT Lab supports life sciences companies through fee-for-service options. Whether you’re an early-stage company proving out your technology or an established organization tackling new scientific challenges, we provide the laboratory equipment, expertise, and execution you need to advance your innovation on a flexible, contract basis. Our team delivers the scientific rigor and innovation of a leading research university with the speed, flexibility, and practical focus that companies demand.

How we work with you:

Share your technical challenge with us. Together, we’ll scope the issue, develop a targeted approach, and execute solutions that drive tangible business value while you retain complete ownership of all intellectual property. Projects are scoped with transparent pricing, detailed timelines, and clear deliverables. From one-time experiments to ongoing research partnerships, we customize to fit your needs.

Technical Lab Services

  • Custom assay development and optimization
  • Bench testing and validation
  • Protocol execution and data generation
  • Sample processing and analysis
  • Method development and troubleshooting
  • Quality control testing

Consulting Services

  • Experimental design consultation
  • Protocol optimization and review
  • Technical troubleshooting support
  • Data analysis and interpretation
  • Literature research and review
  • Regulatory and compliance guidance

Interested? Click here for more information

Questions? Ready to work with us? Reach out below!

Let's Discuss Your Project

Meet the Team

Jennifer Fitz

Jennifer Fitz

BioPILOT Lab Manager

Logan Schwartz

Logan Schwartz

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Candice Byers

Candice Byers

Research Scientist

Christopher Okonkwo

Christopher Okonkwo

Assistant Teaching Professor

Michael Wilczek

Michael Wilczek

Assistant Teaching Professor, Biotechnology/Bioinformatics

Bill Lenart

Bill Lenart

Research Scientist

Elena Coronado

Elena Coronado

Director of Partnerships

Located on the USM Portland campus

Located in the University of Southern Maine Science Building at 70 Falmouth Street, Portland, ME, the BioPILOT Lab is strategically positioned within a vibrant scientific ecosystem:

Shared Space: Co-located with the USM BioIN Incubator, offering leasable lab space for growing life science companies

Academic Integration: Direct access to USM faculty, staff, and students

Research Synergy: Proximity to cutting-edge research facilities:

  • Quality Control Collaboratory (QC2)
  • Maker Innovation Studio (MIST)
  • Composites Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL)

Partners