INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana University will lead significant advances in human health and help make Indiana a global leader in bioscience innovation by establishing the IU Launch Accelerator for Biosciences, known as IU LAB, at the 16 Tech Innovation District in Indianapolis. The first-of-its-kind academic-industry initiative is supported by a $138 million Lilly Endowment Inc. grant to the IU Foundation - IU's largest grant ever in support of research and development.
In collaboration with some of the state's key biosciences organizations - including IU, IU School of Medicine, 16 Tech, Central Indiana Corporate Partnership, BioCrossroads, Indiana Biosciences Research Institute, Regenstrief Institute and IU Health - IU LAB will drive advancements and commercialization in biosciences, as well as develop talent to support this dynamic sector. The grant from Lilly Endowment will fund construction of a state-of-the-art facility for IU LAB that will integrate education, research and development, and business incubation and acceleration at the 16 Tech Innovation District.
Working alongside industry partners, IU will work to strengthen Indiana's life sciences ecosystem by accelerating innovation and discovery within human health; commercializing products; attracting new industry to Indianapolis; developing and connecting talent to opportunities; and expanding the life and bioscience industry presence through IU LAB at 16 Tech.
IU LAB will also serve as an access point for residents of 16 Tech's neighboring communities to learn more about careers in biosciences industries. The initiative will provide opportunities for youth to participate in educational programs and learn how to enroll in related degree programs. IU LAB will also participate in 16 Tech's Community Investment Fund, which provides grants to support opportunity and revitalization of neighborhoods near the 16 Tech Innovation District.
"Indiana University is launching an initiative so transformative that it will change the very landscape of our capital city and state," IU President Pamela Whitten said. "Lilly Endowment's extraordinary investment in IU LAB will enable IU to turn this bold vision into reality. The state-of-the-art facility will empower IU LAB to facilitate critical academic-industry partnerships that will drive discovery, innovation and the commercialization of new therapeutics, diagnostics and devices that will improve human health in Indiana and beyond. In addition, this initiative will provide unparalleled education and training opportunities to the next generation of life and bioscience leaders."
Initially, IU LAB will focus on research and innovation in five critical disease areas relating to diabetes and obesity, neuroscience, rare diseases, cancer, and bone engineering and regenerative medicine.
Chia-Ying "James" Lin is executive director of the Convergent Bioscience and Technology Institute, one of many IU partners that will work with IU LAB to drive innovation. Photo by Liz Kaye, Indiana University
"The IU LAB initiative holds great promise to enhance the individual and collective impacts of the impressive array of life sciences organizations that IU has skillfully engaged in this exciting new partnership," said N. Clay Robbins, Lilly Endowment's chairman and CEO. "The Endowment has been impressed with IU's imaginative and strategic approach to developing this initiative that should dramatically strengthen one of our state's most important industry sectors and help improve the health of Indiana residents. We are pleased to be able to help bring this compelling vision to life."
IU LAB will be housed in a six-floor, 150,000-gross-square-foot facility that is expected to open in 2027 and will serve as IU's permanent home in the 16 Tech Innovation District. The initiative will enhance Indianapolis' growing human health innovation sector, putting IU LAB at the intersection of other major health-related anchor institutions, including IU Health's new downtown hospital and health district.
IU LAB will consist of six interconnected and complementary components:
- The Academic Gateway will host new degree programs and offer advanced courses and credentials for students and current professionals that will address Indiana's workforce needs to attract new businesses to the state.
- The Futures Center will help students and professionals apply their knowledge to real-world issues and engage with experts in various studios focused on specific technologies. Individuals will learn through hands-on experiences that provide practical applications of technologies, augmented and virtual reality, and exploration of real-world problems in fields such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, biomedical engineering, robotics, and sports and human performance.
- The IU Innovates Bio Start-Up Center will support IU entrepreneurs launching new companies, products and services with training, incubation and networking. It will also include the LifeTech Accelerator program, which will recruit and retain new health and medical technology companies for Indiana and provide additional support to help accelerate the growth of new companies.
- The Public-Private Partnerships Center will host local, state and national collaborations with faculty and industry representatives to pursue novel scientific inquiries; commercialize new products; and facilitate industry engagement with researchers and students.
- The recently announced Joint Center of Excellence for Point of Care Precision Medicine will advance collaborative research between IU, the Indiana Biosciences Research Institute, IU Health, Eli Lilly and Company, the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership and other partners. It will focus on new technologies, genomics and translational biomarkers to drive the growth of precision medicine in the state and beyond.
- The Translational Bio Center will offer state-of-the-art facilities for companies and entrepreneurs in the life sciences to test their discoveries and perform key translational activities through in vitro and in vivo screening and preclinical studies.
IU LAB will be led by a new president and CEO reporting directly to the IU president.
Leveraging innovative research and expertise, IU LAB will work closely with the IU School of Medicine, the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering, three institutes at IU Indianapolis - the Convergent Bioscience and Technology Institute, the Institute for Human Health and Wellbeing, and the Integrated Nanosystems Development Institute - as well as several other schools at IU Indianapolis and IU Bloomington.
IU LAB builds on IU's historic $250 million investment, announced in 2023, to position the university - and state - as a global leader in life sciences and biotechnology innovation. It will be critical in meeting ambitious goals outlined in the IU 2030 strategic plan.
About Lilly Endowment
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based, private foundation created in 1937 by J. K. Lilly and his sons, Eli and J.K. Jr., through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. While those gifts remain the financial bedrock of the Endowment, the Endowment is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with its founders' wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion. The Endowment funds programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion, and maintains a special commitment to its founders' hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana.
What they're saying:
U.S. Sen. Todd Young: "IU LAB meets critical industry needs related to developing the next generation of talent, completing groundbreaking research and nurturing life science innovations from bench to bedside. Its facilitation of industry and academic partnerships, preparation of students and professionals, and collection of state-of-the-art equipment will accelerate growth of life and bioscience in the state and ultimately transform lives and human health."
Rep. Todd Huston, speaker of the Indiana House of Representatives: "As we think about growing the talent pipeline in the state, I'm encouraged to see Indiana University and industry partners coming together to provide world-class opportunities for our students. IU LAB will help expose graduates to innovative career paths within our state and keep more of our college talent in Indiana."
Melina Kennedy, CEO of Central Indiana Corporate Partnership: "IU LAB will open a new chapter in the strategic investment into biosciences by CICP, IU and key partners in 16 Tech. As we position our regional economy for the future, IU LAB will be at the core of an approach that distinguishes Central Indiana as a global leader in human health."
Emily Krueger, president and CEO of 16 Tech Community Corp.: "The launch of IU LAB marks a significant step forward for life and bioscience innovation in the 16 Tech Innovation District. IU LAB builds on existing resources and partnerships in 16 Tech, making it the epicenter for innovators and industry seeking to advance human health. IU LAB will also help build awareness of the careers of the future and be a valuable resource in meeting the education and workforce needs of local residents."
Dennis Murphy, president and CEO of IU Health: "Indiana has long been a leader in driving life and bioscience innovation that improves lives. At IU LAB, we will bring together the extensive knowledge and expertise of IU Health, IU and all our partners to pursue discovery and innovation that will improve health outcomes for all Hoosiers."
Alan Palkowitz, president and CEO of Indiana Biosciences Research Institute: "IU LAB is a bold initiative and exciting expansion of IBRI's ongoing collaboration with IU to advance scientific research and improve patient care outcomes in Indiana. We look forward to working with our partners and those in the state's life and biosciences industry to translate innovative discoveries into patient impact and to accelerate the life sciences economy."
Rachel Patzer, president and CEO of Regenstrief Institute: "IU LAB will play a critical role in advancing life and biosciences innovation to address our state's most critical health challenges. Through its efforts to translate research into practice, this partnership will lead to better health outcomes and improved health care across Indiana."
Vince Wong, president and CEO of BioCrossroads: "IU LAB will be vital to a larger statewide vision and strategy for life and biosciences, especially those identified in 'A Strategic Roadmap for Advancing Indiana's Life Science Industries,' which BioCrossroads released earlier this year. Given its intentional alignment with the Strategic Roadmap's key recommendations, IU LAB is well-positioned to help achieve its overall vision that, by 2033, 'Indiana will be known as the global leader in the life science industry - the place that advances innovations into products and improves health and well-being.'"
W. Quinn Buckner, IU Board of Trustees chair: "IU LAB represents Indiana University at its finest. It combines our history of excellence in research and innovation with our collaborative spirit. It expands our commitment to make the Indianapolis region a global leader in biosciences. It demonstrates how our institution can effectively serve the community and the state. IU LAB is just the latest achievement along Indiana University's winning streak."
Latha Ramchand, executive vice president and chancellor of IU Indianapolis: "Lilly Endowment Inc.'s transformative grant is a defining moment for IU Indianapolis. As our campus continues to lead in biosciences and health research, this funding will help strengthen our infrastructure and spark new collaborations for students and faculty alike."
Rahul Shrivastav, executive vice president and provost of IU Bloomington: "This significant investment from Lilly Endowment Inc. recognizes the important role IU Bloomington plays in advancing life sciences and health research. Through initiatives like IU LAB, we're not only enhancing our research capabilities, but also creating new opportunities for our students and faculty to be at the forefront of innovation and discovery."
Russell J. Mumper, IU vice president for research: "We're excited for IU LAB to serve as the academic anchor to 16 Tech and grow its collaborative ecosystem through student and professional training, corporate engagement, entrepreneurship and research. Faculty and researchers will have new opportunities to work with key industry partners in advancing the critical biosciences sector through translational research, patent discoveries and commercialization of new products."
Phaedra Corso, IU associate vice president for research and vice chancellor for research in Indianapolis: "IU LAB will leverage the expansive strengths of the Convergent Bioscience and Technology Institute, the Integrated Nanosystems Development Institute and the Institute for Human Health and Wellbeing and offer opportunities for IU researchers across campuses to engage in impactful research that will improve human health. In partnership with the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering, the institutes will inspire and inform high-demand degrees, certificates and microcredential programs, supporting talent development in Indiana's growing life and biosciences industry."
Jay Hess, Dean, IU School of Medicine and executive vice president for university clinical affairs: "The IU School of Medicine is proud to partner in the launch of IU LAB. We are committed to being a leader in translating our cutting-edge innovation and research to improve patient outcomes through advanced clinical trials, entrepreneurship and commercialization. The school has long had fruitful collaborations with the key partners and is thrilled that IU LAB will be a force to accelerate our collective progress."
