A renowned physician, researcher, professor, entrepreneur, and venture capitalist, Dr. August “Gus” M. Watanabe was a transformative and esteemed figure in Indiana’s life sciences industry who made a monumental impact. Dr. Watanabe graduated from the Indiana University School of Medicine (IUSM) with an M.D. in 1963 and was board-certified in cardiology in 1973. By age 37, he would become the youngest professor of internal medicine in the history of IUSM, and in 1983 he was named chairman of the department.

Dr. Watanabe served as co-founder of Marcadia Biotech, partner in Twilight Venture Partners, and a director of Ambrx, Endocyte, QuatRx, and Kalypsys. He was also a senior advisor to Frazier Healthcare Ventures. He also remained active in the community, serving as a director of the Indiana University Foundation, the Regenstrief Foundation, Christel House International, and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.

In 1990, he left academia to work in the private sector for Eli Lilly and Company, where he would hold several executive positions, eventually becoming president of Lilly Research Laboratories. Under his leadership, Eli Lilly launched 11 important new drugs, more than doubled its global research and development staff, and tripled annual investment in R&D to $2 billion. Upon retiring from Eli Lilly, he became the founding chairman of the Indiana life sciences initiative, BioCrossroads, where he began establishing the framework for what the state’s life sciences sector has become today.

During his academic and research career, Watanabe co-authored more than 100 scientific publications and book chapters and served on the editorial boards of scholarly journals and as an officer in several national academic organizations, including the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association.

Without Dr. Watanabe, the Indiana life sciences sector would not look the same. That can also be said for each of the recipients of this award.