BY RAMONA DU HOUX

May 5, 2011

The strength of Maine bioscience manufacturing attracts global attention from leading centers of health-care innovation. Germany, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom have invested in Maine’s bioscience industries.

• From 2000 through November 2010, Maine exports have grown a 56 percent. Maine biotech exports have increased 129 percent and medical devices and scientific equipment increased 311 percent.

• Bioscience provides wages 67 percent higher than the Maine average and the second highest wage of all tech sectors.

• Since 2002, the number of employees have increased 29 percent to over 6,000 and revenues of industry companies have increased 209 percent to $1.6 billion.

Bioscience manufacturing in Maine has developed around key technologies such as antibody manufacturing, medical devices, and diagnostic test development.

Governor John Baldacci started innovation-cluster growth grants, awarded through the Maine Technology Institute, which has issued bond funds for bioscience research. Experts say that continued research and development grants would continue to help the growth of this industry.