It is our mission to secure Indiana’s position as a global leader in life sciences by advocating, connecting, promoting, and delivering tangible benefits on behalf of our diverse corporate members. | |
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A Note from the President & CEO
What a month it’s been! We’ve had some major local announcements that continue to solidify Indiana as a leader in life sciences. This, while uncertainty remains regarding potential widespread federal funding cuts and other sweeping changes to health regulatory and oversight agencies.
Locally, Indiana University Indianapolis received Research 1 (R1) designation, adding it to Indiana’s already prestigious list of R1 institutions including IU Bloomington, Purdue University and Notre Dame. Indiana is now one of 12 states with four or more R1 universities. An R1 university must have at least $50 million in research and award at least 70 doctoral degrees annually.
Also some (more) great news from Eli Lilly and Co. with the announcement of four new manufacturing sites totaling $27 billion and creating some 3,000 permanent jobs. It’s still not clear if Indiana is on the shortlist for a site, but we should know more in the coming months.
While we’re still trying to understand the full scope of NIH funding cuts, health agency communications restrictions, tariffs, and cutbacks at the FDA, it’s clear that the turmoil has already had an impact on life sciences research and our ecosystem. We are working closely with the Indiana federal delegation, our national partner organizations, and when possible, with the affected agencies, to seek solutions and raise awareness of the impact to our industry.
Kristin
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Indiana Life Sciences Association Members have full access to a monthly report on all non-dilutive government funding opportunities for the biosciences, plus a monthly webinar discussion with the experts at G2G Consulting.
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Events happening this month
- G2G February webinar: March 20 | 12 p.m - 1 p.m. EST Non-Dilutive Funding for Life Sciences: G2G's Monthly GBC Reporting Service Webinar
- Every third Thursday of the month, G2G hosts this online event to give bioscience companies (e.g. therapeutics, diagnostics, medical device, digital health, etc.) the chance to learn about non-dilutive funding opportunities Learn More
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As a member benefit, we are pleased to share and highlight member company news! Please send press releases to info@INLifeSciences.org | |
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Indiana University Indianapolis receives Research 1 designation
Indiana University Indianapolis has become the first institution in Indianapolis to receive Research 1, or R1, status from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, the university announced Thursday.
An R1 designation is presented to universities with $50 million in research and development expenditures that award at least 70 doctoral degrees in any field in a year. Read more.
Eli Lilly to spend $27B on four new manufacturing sites
Indianapolis-based pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly and Co. announced plans Wednesday to add four new manufacturing sites in a roughly $27 billion investment expected to create 3,000 jobs and nearly 10,000 construction positions during the buildout. Read more.
IU-Led International Team Discovers New Gene and Associated Genetic Disorder
An international team of researchers led by the Indiana University School of Medicine has recently linked a previously uncharacterized gene to a human disorder for the first time. This breakthrough led to the diagnosis of an ultrarare neurodevelopmental disorder for a patient of the Undiagnosed Rare Disease Clinic (URDC), located at Riley Hospital for Children. Read more.
Novilytic inks distribution partnership to take products international
A bioanalytics startup headquartered in West Lafayette is growing with a recently announced distribution partnership.
Novilytic, which makes products designed to give real-time alerts to pharmaceutical companies if a batch of drugs under development is contaminated, has signed an exclusive distribution deal with Pennsylvania-based Avantor. Read more.
Amplified Sciences earns key clearance for cancer diagnostic test
A West Lafayette-based life sciences diagnostic company has received federal regulatory clearance for its first product aimed at early detection of pancreatic cancer.
Amplified Sciences said the clearance under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments, or CLIA, program is a key step toward commercialization.
The startup was founded by V. Jo Davisson, a Purdue professor of medicinal chemistry and molecular pharmacology. The company’s PanCystPro product uses proprietary, ultrasensitive dyes that can detect biomarkers in a small amount of pancreatic cyst fluid. Read more.
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The Indiana Health Industry Forum provides guidance and leadership on public policy issues that contribute to innovation in the health science sector, deliver therapies to patients in need, and further the development and growth of our member companies. IHIF works at the federal and state level and partners with several other organizations and groups to support specific initiatives and legislation.
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ORPHAN Cures Act (H.R. 946)
This bipartisan bill that removes barriers to treating and curing rare disease, has been reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. Read the statement from BIO President & CEO, John Crowley.
CSBA Statement on NIH Funding Cuts
Council of State Biotechnology Associations says NIH funds are a critical component of innovation ecosystem.
“Today, the US biotech industry employs nearly 2.3 million people across the US and is making positive contributions to economic impact and national security across all 50 states. In fact, for every dollar the National Institutes of Health (NIH) contributes to a successful drug, the private sector invests over $65, underscoring the agency’s unparalleled return on investment." Read more.
Statement from Scott Whitaker, President and CEO, AvaMed
Over the weekend, significant job cuts were made to FDA that could have a very negative impact on patient care in this country. Today, I sent a letter to HHS outlining our concerns. Read it here.
BIO Applauds Introduction of Bipartisan Bill to Eliminate the Pill Penalty
Legislation will help spur the development of lifesaving treatments and cures
WASHINGTON D.C. (February 25, 2025) – John Crowley, president and CEO of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), released the following statement after Representatives Gregory Murphy (R-NC), Don Davis (D-NC) and Richard Hudson (R-NC) introduced the “Ensuring Pathways to Innovative Cures (EPIC) Act,” bipartisan legislation that would eliminate the pill penalty in the 2023 Inflation Reduction Act: “For decades small molecule medicines for that come in a pill or tablet have been recognized for improving patient adherence, being easier to take, and more broadly accessible to those who need them. As a result, hundreds of such therapies have been developed for the treatment of devastating diseases ranging from cancer to mental illness. Today, instead of building on years of biomedical progress, some innovator companies and investors are now being forced to pull away. The Inflation Reduction Act targets small molecules for government price setting years earlier than other medicines, sending the wrong message to everyone trying to develop new breakthrough treatments in a pill or tablet formulation. Instead of arbitrary and unnecessary market distortions guiding drug development decisions – we should be following the science and prioritizing getting important new medicines to patients."
“On behalf of America’s patients and biotech innovators. I’d like to thank Representatives Gregory Murphy (R-NC), Don Davis (D-NC) and Richard Hudson (R-NC) for their leadership on this important issue. This bipartisan legislation will eliminate the pill penalty and help ensure science and researchers – not government bureaucrats – determine the possible treatments innovator companies pursue. I hope Congress will act quickly on this legislation and protect the development of future treatments and cures that patients are counting on.”
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Be sure to check out our Member Directory featuring company descriptions and an alphabetical listing. | |
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Rapid Medical Courier LLC is committed to providing safe, reliable, and rapid medical transportation services for specimens, medical equipment, sensitive documents, and pharmaceuticals. Directory Link
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With BIO Business Solutions (BBS), Indiana Life Sciences Association members are eligible for discounts and savings on a wide variety of products and services geared towards life sciences companies and general business needs. From lab supplies, waste removal and insurance, to office supplies and credit cards, there is something here for every company. Explore your options and enjoy the benefits of being an IHIF member! | |
BIO Business Solutions - Special Discounts for Members | |
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Featured NEW Programs
Please share this with someone in your company who would find this helpful.
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BIO Business Solutions provides cost-savings offers to eligible IN Life Sciences Association Members. To learn more about the programs and services available, please click here. Not a member? Join today!
Below are new additions to the Bio Business Solutions program. A full list can be found on the Indiana Life Sciences website.
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- Life Sciences Lifeline: ICYMI February Panel
Our February panel included more information on HB 1299 – a bill for Funding Breast Cancer Research, a deep dive into the 30+ year efforts of the Catherine Peachey Fund, and the latest on clinical trials and an early-stage research consortium in this space. Click the video link above to watch!
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Purdue Innovates Startup and Technology Expo 2025 on April 23-25 This event will highlight and showcase Purdue University’s finest innovators and entrepreneurs including students, faculty, staff, startups and issued patent recipients. Learn More
- Scotland Extravaganza Week 2025 - May 5-11, 2025
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Indiana District Export Council: May 8 | 11:15 a.m. - 6 p.m. at Randolf Deer Pavilion at NEWFIELDS Art Museum
- Learn how best to navigate the current trade environment and position for long-term success with Indiana’s and the USA’s largest trading partners, Canada and Mexico. Learn More
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BioCentury Grand Rounds: June 4-6, 2025 in Chicago Learn More
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BIO 2025: June 16-19, 2025 in Boston
- We’re excited to announce registration for BIO 2025 is now open! We're back in Boston to bring together thousands of biotech professionals at the world's largest gathering for our industry. We encourage you to register today to take advantage of the early bird rate and hotel room availability. Click here to register. To reserve your hotel room, click here.
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SAVE THE DATE:
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AdvaMed MedTech Conference 2025 San Diego, CA | Oct 5-8, 2025
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Join the IN Life Sciences Association
Become a Member Today!
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About Membership
Now is a great time to become a member of the Indiana Life Sciences Association! Join your voice to over 200 current member companies to impact the strategic direction of Indiana's life science sector.
Membership offers a number of solutions:
- Promote your business, locally, nationally, and globally.
- Support the industry in the state and contribute directly to its growth and direction.
- Find others who share your interests and build your business network.
- Lend your voice to public policies that support innovation.
- Increase your buying power and directly impact your bottom line with significant savings and discount programs exclusively for members.
To complete a membership application, click here.
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