Sen. Teresa S. Pierce accepts Life Sciences Champion award from BioScience Association of Maine

AUGUSTA — On Wednesday, October 8, Senate Majority Leader Teresa S. Pierce, D-Falmouth, accepted the Life Sciences Champion Award from the Bioscience Association of Maine (BioME) at the 2025 BioME Annual Conference. Sen. Pierce has led multiple bipartisan efforts to advance Maine’s life science sector, which is creating jobs and keeping Maine regionally competitive by attracting homegrown talent and investment.

“I’m honored to receive this recognition, and appreciate all of the bipartisan collaboration that has gone into this work, including securing the research and development bond and getting the Life Sciences Center across the finish line,” said Sen. Pierce. “Maine is primed to have a strong presence in the life sciences sector due to our natural resources and the talent and drive of our people. With public and private partnership, and support from the Legislature and Governor, we will continue to grow this sector of our economy and workforce. Maine people will benefit from our work.”

Last year, Sen. Pierce led the unanimous, bipartisan passage of the $25 million Research, Development and Commercialization Bond, approved in November by over 50% of Maine voters. Previously, in 2017, Sen. Pierce, as a member of the House, supported the $45 million R&D bond, which has had a nearly $1.7 billion economic impact.

This year, Sen. Pierce helped pass LD 125, which supports small, Maine-based entrepreneurs through the Maine Seed Capital Tax Credit Program. She also sponsored LD 1643, to create the Maine Life Sciences Center and centralize the work of Maine’s life sciences industry.

Governor Janet Mills announced in September the creation of the Maine Life Sciences Center, along with grant funding to ensure to its successful launch. Maine’s life science industry is responsible for nearly 10,000 good-paying jobs and $2.3 billion in economic activity, according to the Governor’s Office.