Bloomington Leader

Indiana University has announced the establishment of the IU Launch Accelerator for Biosciences (IU LAB) at the 16 Tech Innovation District in Indianapolis. This initiative, aimed at advancing human health and positioning Indiana as a leader in bioscience innovation, is supported by a $138 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., marking the largest research and development grant ever received by IU.

IU LAB will be located in a new facility at 16 Tech and will collaborate with key biosciences organizations such as IU School of Medicine, Central Indiana Corporate Partnership, BioCrossroads, Indiana Biosciences Research Institute, Regenstrief Institute, and IU Health. The initiative aims to drive advancements in biosciences, develop talent, commercialize products, attract industry to Indianapolis, and expand the life sciences presence through education and business incubation.

The facility will serve as an access point for residents of nearby communities to learn about careers in biosciences. It will also participate in 16 Tech’s Community Investment Fund to support neighborhood revitalization. IU President Pamela Whitten stated that "Lilly Endowment’s extraordinary investment in IU LAB will enable IU to turn this bold vision into reality."

Initially focusing on diabetes and obesity, neuroscience, rare diseases, cancer, and bone engineering research areas, IU LAB plans to drive economic growth through startup development. N. Clay Robbins of Lilly Endowment expressed confidence in IU's strategic approach to strengthening Indiana's life sciences sector.

Scheduled to open in 2027 within a six-floor facility at 16 Tech Innovation District, IU LAB will feature several components including the Academic Gateway for degree programs and the Futures Center for practical applications of technology. Other centers include the Public-Private Partnerships Center for collaborations and the Translational Bio Center for testing discoveries.

U.S. Sen.Todd Young highlighted that "IU LAB meets critical industry needs related to developing the next generation of talent." Rep. Todd Huston noted its role in growing Indiana's talent pipeline. Matt Mindrum from Indy Chamber emphasized its potential to position Indianapolis as a center of research and innovation.

Melina Kennedy from Central Indiana Corporate Partnership remarked on its significance for regional economic strategy while Emily Krueger from 16 Tech Community Corp. praised its impact on local workforce needs. Dennis Murphy from IU Health pointed out Indiana's leadership role in life sciences innovation.

The initiative aligns with BioCrossroads' strategic roadmap aiming for global leadership by 2033 according to Vince Wong. Various university leaders including Latha Ramchand and Jay Hess have expressed commitment towards leveraging this opportunity for educational advancements and improved patient outcomes.