John C. Lechleiter appointed to Indiana Biosciences Research Institute board of directors

April 20, 2018

The Indiana Biosciences Research Institute (IBRI) announces former Eli Lilly and Company chairman, president and CEO John C. Lechleiter, Ph.D., has joined its board of directors. Dr. Lechleiter retired from Lilly in 2016 and served as chairman of the board of directors from January 2009 to May 2017. He joined Lilly in 1979 as a senior organic chemist, working his way from the lab to global leadership.

In a 2012 speech at the BioCrossroads Indiana Life Sciences Summit, Dr. Lechleiter issued a call to action to bring together Indiana’s life sciences industry partners to ensure that the state maintains its leadership and competitiveness in the life sciences.  The result was the establishment of the Indiana Biosciences Research Institute.

“John’s collaborative and complementary vision was vital in the establishment of the IBRI,” said Rainer Fischer, Ph.D., chief executive officer, IBRI. “His scientific and business acumen as well as his vision for innovative technologies and new product development will be invaluable as the institute continues to grow.”

Lechleiter earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Xavier University and master’s and doctoral degrees in organic chemistry from Harvard University. He has received honorary doctorates from Marian University, the University of Indianapolis, the National University of Ireland, Indiana University, Franklin College, Butler University and Purdue University.

Lechleiter is a member of the American Chemical Society. He serves as vice chair of the board of the Science History Institute and is an emeritus member of the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership board. Lechleiter also serves on the boards of Ford Motor Company, Indiana Economic Development Corporation, Nike, Inc., and United Way Worldwide.