By: IPP Bureau
Last updated : December 04, 2025 3:09 pm
The partnership targets breakthroughs in Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, cancer, and cell and gene therapy
Global biopharma leader Eli Lilly is investing up to $40 million in Indiana University (IU) in a bold new five-year partnership aimed at expanding patient access to cutting-edge clinical trials and accelerating the development of innovative medicines.
The agreement strengthens a decades-long collaboration and focuses on creating a best-in-class clinical trial system, advancing Alzheimer’s care, and cultivating Indiana’s next generation of scientific and clinical talent.
Leveraging IU’s research expertise and Lilly’s global leadership in biopharmaceutical innovation, the partnership targets breakthroughs in Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, cancer, and cell and gene therapy, while fueling growth in Indiana’s $99 billion life sciences industry.
"Indiana has everything it takes to build a best-in-class system for clinical trial innovation: world-leading science, statewide health systems that reach patients where they are and a community that believes in turning discovery into better care," said David A. Ricks, chair and CEO of Lilly.
"Partnering with IU under Pam Whitten's leadership, we can accelerate progress by removing barriers, enrolling patients faster and delivering life-changing medicines sooner. Our goal is to transform clinical research, advancing science and improving care for Hoosiers while setting a standard that reaches far beyond our state. In doing so, Indiana strengthens its role as a global life sciences leader and expands access to innovation that benefits patients everywhere."
IU President Pamela Whitten called the agreement "a new chapter for Indiana University and how we work with industry partners moving with speed, purpose and a focus on real-world outcomes."
Together with Lilly, we're investing in Indiana's innovation ecosystem, building a platform that advances cutting-edge research and care and preparing students to lead in tomorrow's industries. It's a win for our university, our state and, most importantly, the patients and communities we serve."
The IU Launch Accelerator for Biosciences (IU LAB) will lead IU’s efforts, focusing on key areas, like AI-enabled clinical trials to develop infrastructure to enhance trial design, patient recruitment, and operational efficiency, and beurological health access to accelerate resources and research for Alzheimer’s disease patients, leveraging IU’s neuroscience expertise and Lilly’s global leadership.
"This expanded partnership marks an exciting step forward for IU and how we engage with partners in mutually beneficial ways," said David Rosenberg, IU LAB President and CEO. "Together, IU and Lilly will build the research capacity, talent and infrastructure that will accelerate scientific discovery, advance the care of Hoosiers, drive economic growth and solidify Indiana's position as a national leader in the life sciences."
IU Health President and CEO Dennis Murphy added: "IU Health is excited to be part of this initiative because of the impact it will have on our patients. IU and Lilly partnering together means that our patients will have even more access to life-saving breakthroughs that our state's best researchers are advancing every day."
This initial phase of the partnership sets the stage for future projects, combining IU and Lilly’s priorities while boosting Indiana’s role as a national and global life sciences hub.