Indiana General Assembly Provides Additional $20 Million to Accelerate Growth of Indiana Biosciences Research Institute

April 24, 2017

With the strong support of Governor Eric Holcomb, the Indiana General Assembly included $20 million in the state’s two-year budget to accelerate build-out and continued growth of the Indiana Biosciences Research Institute (IBRI).

“We are extremely grateful for the legislature’s vote of confidence in the IBRI as a catalyst for research, innovation, and collaboration,” said David Broecker, President and CEO. “Indiana has one of the leading life science communities in the country comprised of globally leading companies, outstanding research universities, and a diverse talent base.  Thanks to the continued work of State leaders in creating a business-friendly environment, Indiana is well positioned to capitalize on continued growth not only in life science, but across all technology sectors.”

In 2013 the State of Indiana provided the initial seed money of $25 million to create the Institute. This initial investment was matched with funding totaling another $25 million from Lilly, Dow AgroSciences, Roche Diagnostics, Indiana University Health and the Indiana University School of Medicine.

In the three and a half years since the IBRI was founded, the Institute has grown to 21 people, including three principal researchers and two visiting fellows. The IBRI recently hired Dr. Rainer Fischer from the Fraunhofer to be the IBRI’s Chief Scientific and Innovation Officer.  With the state’s additional investment, the IBRI is on track to deliver an economic impact of roughly $400 million over the next ten years.

The IBRI currently is currently collaborating on several important research initiatives including type 1 diabetes with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation; a “big data” program involving more than 800,000 diabetic patients in the state of Indiana to discover new phenotypes for type 2 diabetes with Lilly, Roche Diagnostics, and the Regenstrief Institute; and a molecular safety assessment project with Dow AgroSciences and Lilly to accelerate drug discovery. The Institute also established its first satellite office at Notre Dame in March.

About the Indiana Biosciences Research Institute

The Indiana Biosciences Research Institute (IBRI) is an independent, nonprofit discovery science and applied research institute focused on innovation initially targeting cardio-metabolic diseases, diabetes and poor nutrition. Inspired by the state and Indiana’s leading life sciences companies, research universities and philanthropic community, the IBRI is building a world-class organization of researchers and entrepreneurs that will catalyze scientific discovery and innovation, resulting in improved health outcomes for patients. Initial funding was provided by the State of Indiana, Lilly Endowment, Lilly, Dow AgroSciences, Roche Diagnostics, Indiana University Health and the Indiana University School of Medicine. IBRI is looking to expand partnerships with life sciences companies and philanthropic organizations to increase the potential for research, discovery, and collaboration. For more information about IBRI and donation or collaboration opportunities, please visit www.indianabiosciences.org.