ROCHESTER — The Mayo Clinic and the Optum unit of UnitedHealth Group Inc. are teaming up on a research and innovation facility aimed at improving patient care.

Optum Labs will be based in Cambridge, Mass.

Mayo and Optum said in a joint statement Tuesday they’ll combine their extensive clinical and claims data to help health care providers create the most efficient approaches to care. They said they’ll make their information, technologies and expertise available to organizations pursuing practical solutions to patient care challenges.

Mayo and Optum said other participants will include academic institutions, life sciences companies, commercial and government payers, and other care providers.

Many sectors of the health care industry have increased their collaboration in recent years as a way to reduce costs and improve care.