MaineHealth Maine Medical Center Biddeford to open state's first clinical research unit

The Maine Technology Institute (MTI) has awarded MaineHealth $2 million to create the state’s first Clinical Research Unit (CRU).

The CRU, a dedicated space for both early- and late-phase clinical trials, promises Maine patients greatly expanded access to groundbreaking therapies and advanced care options close to home. This investment reflects the state’s broader strategy to grow Maine’s life sciences sector, advanced by the Maine Life Sciences Center (MLSC), a statewide initiative housed within MTI.

While MaineHealth currently offers a range of clinical trials, its ability to enroll patients locally has been limited by the lack of dedicated clinical research infrastructure required for certain studies, particularly those that require observation after treatment. MaineHealth’s CRU, which will be located at MaineHealth Maine Medical Center Biddeford (MHMMC Biddeford), will include observation rooms that can be used for overnight stays, as well as a dedicated pharmacy and easy access to common clinical trial needs such as lab work, imaging and other diagnostics.

The space will be compliant with both the Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). MaineHealth anticipates the CRU will focus its first several years on common conditions in Maine and is exploring areas such as oncology, cardiovascular disease, infectious disease, and mental and behavioral health.

“We believe patients should have access to top-notch therapies no matter where they live, and this CRU has the potential to be a game-changer as we work to improve health equity for our patients in rural communities,” said Doug Sawyer, MaineHealth’s Chief Academic Officer and Principal Investigator for the CRU, along with MaineHealth medical oncologist Scot Remick. “We are incredibly grateful to MTI and the state for recognizing the real need for expanded research capabilities in Maine and providing the funding to get this project off the ground.”

“Maine has not historically had the infrastructure needed to support early-phase clinical trials, which has limited both patient access and our ability to participate fully in the clinical research ecosystem,” said Sarah Delmar, MLSC’s founding director. “This investment begins to change that. It’s a critical step toward building the infrastructure Maine has been missing to fully support clinical research and bring new therapies closer to home.”

"Cancer care is evolving quickly, and many of the most promising advances reach patients first through clinical trials,” said The Jackson Laboratory Chief Medical Officer Jens Rueter. “Through the work of The Jackson Laboratory’s Maine Cancer Genomics Initiative, we’ve seen how powerful it is when clinicians have direct access to clinical trials, and MaineHealth’s Clinical Research Unit will significantly enhance options for cancer patients here in Maine."

The CRU also will benefit early-career researchers by allowing them more opportunities to design clinical trials and engage in clinical research, an approach that benefits learners both at MaineHealth and at other Maine medical schools and nursing programs.

“The CRU touches all aspects of MaineHealth’s mission of providing high-quality affordable care, educating tomorrow's caregivers and researching better ways to provide care,” said MaineHealth Vice President of Research Jessica Chertow. “Clinical trials conducted in this space have the potential to make significant contributions to human health, life sciences, innovation and the advancement of biomedical technologies. We’re excited for the possibilities.”

“Access to clinical research infrastructure like the CRU is crucial for training students to shape the future of Maine’s health care workforce,” said Karen L. Houseknecht, vice president of Research and Innovation at the University of New England. “By connecting education, real-world clinical research, and patient care, the CRU gives trainees a direct role in meaningful clinical studies while also expanding patient access to cutting-edge clinical care in Maine and the region.”

The CRU project at MHMMC Biddeford is scheduled to be underway no later than December with a goal of providing care to patients in 2027. The investment is one of several targeted efforts to strengthen Maine’s life sciences ecosystem by expanding critical infrastructure, growing talent and enabling new opportunities for research, care and innovation across the state.