INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., Oct. 1, 2015 —  BioCrossroads today announced that Lilly Endowment Inc. has approved a two-year, $2.9 million grant for continued support of its charitable, educational and scientific activities. These activities will encourage further growth in the life sciences sector across Central Indiana and the state.

BioCrossroads is an initiative of the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership, which brings together leaders of Central Indiana’s prominent corporations and foundations and university presidents in a strategic effort dedicated to the region’s continued prosperity and growth.

“We are at a pivotal point in the advancement of the state’s life sciences industry, and BioCrossroads is catalyzing that activity with corporate, academic and philanthropic partners,” said David L. Johnson, president and CEO of BioCrossroads.  “Indiana has seen steady growth in its life sciences innovation, talent and related opportunities, and there is more to be realized, but it is only through the support of stakeholders –  especially Lilly Endowment – that this clear progress and transformative collaboration can continue to advance.”

Grants from the Endowment in support of the BioCrossroads initiative go to the CICP Foundation, which also supports other charitable, educational and scientific activities of the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership.  Through such charitable foundation funding, BioCrossroads has developed some of the most important collaborative growth projects in the state’s recent history. They include:

  • Establishment of the nation’s most successful health information network, the Indiana Health Information Exchange
  • Development of the Indiana I-STEM Network and the Datalys Center for Sports Injury Research
  • Advancement of OrthoWorx and AgriNovus Indiana
  • Creation and advancement of the Indiana Biosciences Research Institute

“Continuing to build on Indiana’s already impressive life sciences industry is essential for the state’s future prosperity,” said Ace Yakey, Lilly Endowment’s vice president for community development.  “BioCrossroads’ strategic and collaborative efforts are critical to Indiana’s ability to retain and attract the talented and innovative people who are needed for this industry to thrive here.”

To date, BioCrossroads has raised more than $377 million in grant funds, contributions and capital investments to advance life sciences opportunities in Indiana.

About Lilly Endowment Inc.

The Endowment was founded in 1937 by three members of the Lilly family – J.K. Lilly, J.K. Lilly, Jr., and Eli Lilly – through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. While those gifts remain the financial bedrock of the Endowment, the Endowment is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the wishes of the founders, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion. A foremost priority of the founders was to help the people of their city and state build a better life, and the Endowment remains primarily committed to Indianapolis and Indiana.

About BioCrossroads
BioCrossroads (www.biocrossroads.com) is Indiana’s initiative to grow, advance and invest in the life sciences, a public-private collaboration that supports the region’s existing research and corporate strengths while encouraging new business development.  BioCrossroads provides money and support to life sciences businesses, launches new life sciences enterprises (Indiana Biosciences Research Institute, Indiana Health Information Exchange, Fairbanks Institute for Healthy Communities, BioCrossroadsLINX, OrthoWorx and Datalys Center), expands collaboration and partnerships among Indiana’s life science institutions, promotes science education and markets Indiana’s life sciences industry.