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

Research Facilities

Full laboratory access for:

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

 

Cost and Time Savings

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

 

Safety and Compliance

We manage:

  • Safety training programs
  • Chemical hygiene protocols

Aligned with Northeastern University and University of Southern Maine standards

 

Academic Connections

Close proximity to USM and Roux Institute resources:

  • Faculty and staff
  • Students
  • Research centers

 

Talent Access

Opportunities to engage with technical talent through:

  • USM student internships
  • Roux Institute co-op programs

View Our Equipment List

Membership Details & Pricing

Duration: 6 or 12 month term
Access: Up to 3 individuals per membership, additional individuals may be onboarded for a $400 fee

Membership TierMonthly Rate (6-month term)Monthly Rate (12-month term)
Tier 1: 10 hours/month$ 800.00$ 700.00
Tier 2: 20 hours/month$ 1,400.00$ 1,300.00
BioIN Tenant Tier 1: 10 hours/month$ 500.00$ 400.00
BioIN Tenant Tier 2: 20 hours/month$ 800.00$ 700.00

What’s Included:

Lab access
Equipment and bench reservations
Safety training
On-site orientation
Research equipment training
Use of common lab consumables

*For a full list of included items and terms, see “Membership Terms” page below.

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

Meet the Team

Aileen Huang-Saad

Aileen Huang-Saad

Director of Life Sciences, Health, & Engineering; Associate...

Jennifer Fitz

Jennifer Fitz

BioPILOT Lab Manager

Marsha Rolle

Marsha Rolle

Director, BioPILOT; Associate Director, Life Science Programs; Research...

Christopher Okonkwo

Christopher Okonkwo

Assistant Teaching Professor

Moriah Folsom

Moriah Folsom

LSHE Education Program Manager

Elena Coronado

Elena Coronado

Director of Partnerships

Jim Strickland

Jim Strickland

Senior Director Research Partnerships and Translation