ARCS Foundation Expands National Scholar Award Program to Indiana

Indiana’s life sciences ecosystem is built around a rare combination of strengths: global companies, research universities, innovation districts, manufacturing scale, logistics infrastructure, and a statewide network of partners working across human health, animal health, and plant science.

Now, a national scholarship program focused on advancing scientific talent is expanding into that ecosystem.

ARCS Foundation will host the ARCS National Scholar Award Inaugural Ceremony on September 2, 2026, at the Purdue University Memorial Union in West Lafayette, to introduce Indiana leaders to the ARCS National Scholar Award Program and its new partnership with Purdue University. The event will also give ARCS Foundation an opportunity to learn more about Indiana’s life sciences economy and the industry partners whose work is helping shape the future of health, research, technology, and manufacturing.

The Purdue partnership marks the first expansion of the ARCS National Scholar Award Program into Indiana. Through the agreement, ARCS will provide ongoing private, unrestricted funding for Purdue doctoral students conducting research in high impact and emerging technology fields. Initial support will focus on biomedical engineering, electrical and computer engineering, and mechanical engineering.

That connection matters for Indiana.

Across the state, life sciences companies and research institutions are advancing work in pharmaceuticals, medical technology, diagnostics, animal health, plant science, manufacturing, logistics, data, and next generation technologies. Purdue’s role in the ARCS National Scholar Award Program adds another point of connection between graduate research, industry need, and long-term talent development.

ARCS Foundation has supported scientific talent for more than 65 years by providing financial awards to academically outstanding U.S. citizens pursuing graduate degrees in science, engineering, math, technology, and medical research. The National Scholar Award Program was created to expand ARCS support into regions not currently served by ARCS chapters and to invest in scientific fields important to U.S. competitiveness.

For Indiana, the opportunity is both immediate and long term.

The event will introduce industry leaders to a national model for supporting doctoral scholars while giving ARCS Foundation a closer look at the companies, institutions, and innovation assets that make Indiana a leading life sciences state. It is also a chance to begin building the relationships needed to grow scholarship support in Indiana over time.

Private, unrestricted support gives scholars the flexibility to stay focused on research, pursue promising ideas, and continue work that may one day contribute to new discoveries, technologies, companies, and solutions. For industry partners, that kind of investment strengthens the research and talent pipeline that helps Indiana compete.

As ARCS Foundation begins its work in Indiana, BioCrossroads encourages life sciences leaders, employers, investors, and philanthropic partners to attend, learn more, and help connect the program to the broader ecosystem.

Indiana has the industry base. Purdue brings world-class research strength. ARCS brings a national model for investing in scientific talent. Together, they create a new opportunity to support the next generation of researchers whose work can help move Indiana’s life sciences economy forward.

Support scientific talent in Indiana

Companies and philanthropic partners interested in supporting ARCS scholars in Indiana can learn more at the event and begin exploring how private support can help strengthen Indiana’s research, innovation, and life sciences talent pipeline.

Contact: 

Nancy Chambers
ARCS Foundation National Board of Directors
Chair, ARCS National Scholar Program 
nchambers@arcsfoundation.org
404.593.4474

Attend the ARCS Foundation event

Industry leaders, employers, investors, academic partners, and philanthropic organizations are invited to attend the ARCS National Scholar Award Inaugural Ceremony to learn more about ARCS Foundation, the National Scholar Award Program, and the program’s first Indiana partnership with Purdue University.

Event: ARCS National Scholar Award Inaugural Ceremony
Date: September 2, 2026
Time: 3:00-5:00 p.m. 
Location: Purdue University Memorial Union
Hosted by: ARCS Foundation
Registration: Scan the QR code to the right or click the button below.

 

bio international convention 2026

Highlights from the Indiana Pavilion

Indiana returned to BIO International with a coordinated statewide presence for the first time in six years, bringing together companies, universities, innovation districts and industry partners inside the Indiana Pavilion.

Across four days at Booth 3143, BioCrossroads helped lead conversations focused on the full arc of Indiana’s bioscience economy. Partners discussed how innovation districts are creating places for collaboration, how research institutions and industry anchors are moving discoveries toward commercial impact, and how Indiana’s manufacturing, logistics, and workforce assets support companies building and scaling in the state.

The week also marked the national introduction of BioHeartland Indiana, giving partners a shared platform to tell a more unified story about the state’s strengths across human health, animal health and plant science.

Explore the photo gallery, partner highlights, and on-site interviews from BIO International 2026.

Partners at BIO 2026

Indiana’s presence at BIO International 2026 was shaped by partners working across the full bioscience economy, from research and commercialization to innovation districts, manufacturing, logistics, workforce development and business growth. At Booth 3143, that meant more than representing individual organizations. Together, Indiana Pavilion partners showed how the state’s bioscience ecosystem works in practice.

BioCrossroads is grateful to each partner who helped bring Indiana’s bioscience story to BIO International and helped introduce BioHeartland Indiana to a national audience.

Discover
BioHeartland Indiana

BioHeartland Indiana is the shared identity for Indiana’s statewide bioscience ecosystem, connecting strengths across human health, animal health and plant science.

See how companies, universities, research institutions, innovation districts and industry partners are connected across the state.

New regional identity unites a more than $100 billion bioscience ecosystem and positions Indiana among the world's leading innovation hubs.

INDIANAPOLISJune 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Today at BIO International Convention in San Diego, the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership announced the bioscience sector across Indiana will now be known as “BioHeartland Indiana.”

For more than a century, Indiana’s life sciences ecosystem has been inventing, making and moving bioscience solutions at global scale across human health, animal health and plant science. The state’s leading role in the GLP-1 revolution is a tangible example of what’s possible when discovery, research, development, manufacturing and distribution exist within a single connected ecosystem.

With Eli Lilly, Elanco Animal Health, and Corteva, the region is home to global leaders in human health, animal health, and plant science. The state’s four R1 universities, the nation’s largest medical school, and the Indiana Bioscience Research Institute, combined with the industry researchers, serve to generate 3x the national average for issued patents. The biosciences sector contributes over $100B of economic activity to the state.

“Indiana is a powerhouse in human, animal and plant biosciences, but our story has not been told with the clarity, consistency or urgency it deserves,” said Melina Kennedy, CEO of the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership. “What makes this region different is not just that we make bioscience solutions, we are also a hotbed of invention and discovery, with the manufacturing strength, logistics infrastructure and collaborative spirit to move innovations into the world. BioHeartland gives us a shared identity to help investors, companies and talent understand the full value of what Indiana offers.”

The announcement follows Governor Mike Braun’s $1 billion commitment to help Indiana’s life sciences companies accelerate growth over the next ten years.

“People will hear the words ‘BioHeartland Indiana’ and automatically think, “that’s a place open for science and innovation where industry professionals across the entire value chain deliver solutions in a practical, collaborative way, enabling companies to move with speed from lab to market,” said Vince Wong, president and CEO of BioCrossroads, a non-profit organization that grows, advances, and invests in Indiana’s life sciences and healthcare sectors. “When it comes to biosciences, people will think of Indiana the same as Boston, the Research Triangle of North Carolina, or even international locations like Zurich and Basel.”

Indiana’s bioscience industry currently generates more than $125 billion in annual economic impact and leads the nation in both life sciences and pharmaceutical exports.

BIO International Convention

Fifteen BioHeartland Indiana partners are attending BIO International including: Eli Lily and Company, Elanco Animal Health, 16 Tech Innovation District, One Health Innovation District, Genezen, Heartland BioWorks Tech Hub powered by the Applied Research Institute, Indiana Biosciences Research Institute, Indiana Economic Development Corporation, IU Launch Accelerator for Biosciences, Indiana Life Sciences Association, Indy Partnership, Langham Logistics and Purdue University. BioCrossroads is leading BioHeartland Indiana’s presence at BIO International Convention.

BioHeartland Indiana is located at Booth 3134 and will host a series of in-booth conversations designed to give BIO attendees a closer look at the people, places and capabilities behind Indiana’s life sciences momentum. A schedule of events and details about BioHeartland’s presence at BIO International can be found on the organization’s website.

About BioHeartland Indiana
BioHeartland Indiana is a shared identity led by the CEOs of Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP), in collaboration with its branded initiatives, BioCrossroads and AgriNovus Indiana, and in partnership with the Central Indiana Regional Development Authority (CIRDA). It exists to amplify Indiana’s bioscience strengths, while elevating the innovation districts, companies and research centers inventing, making and moving a rare concentration of life-changing innovation across human, animal and plant health at global scale. Learn more at INBioHeartland.com.

About CICP
The CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP) was formed in 1999 (under its legal name, Central Indiana Corporate Partnership) to bring together the chief executives of the region’s prominent corporations, foundations and universities in a strategic and collaborative effort dedicated to Indiana’s continued prosperity and growth. To advance this objective, CICP sponsors five key talent and industry sector initiatives, AgriNovus IndianaAscend IndianaBioCrossroadsConexus Indiana, and TechPoint, each of which addresses challenges and opportunities unique to its respective area: agbiosciences, talent and workforce development, life sciences, advanced manufacturing and logistics, and technology. To learn more about CICP, visit cicpindiana.com.

About AgriNovus Indiana
AgriNovus Indiana, a branded initiative of the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP), is a nonprofit organization focused on advancing the agbioscience sector by connecting and convening stakeholders to deliver innovative ways to inspire and attract agbiosciences talent, companies and innovation to the state. Learn more at www.AgriNovusIndiana.com.

About BioCrossroads
An initiative of the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP), BioCrossroads is a catalyst for Indiana’s life sciences sector, advancing the state’s position as a global leader in research, development, manufacturing, and healthcare innovation. Through strategic initiatives, industry partnerships, and ecosystem development, BioCrossroads supports the growth of life sciences companies, talent, and investment, as well as existing enterprises and new business development across Indiana. The initiative fosters public-private collaboration by uniting a diverse range of academic, industry, and philanthropic stakeholders, all collectively focused on advancing Indiana’s life sciences sector. To learn more about BioCrossroads, visit biocrossroads.com.

Media Contact:
Joe Morgan
Sōvyn
[email protected]

SOURCE BioHeartland Indiana

IBJ BioFutures 2026 spotlights Indiana’s life sciences momentum

Indiana’s life sciences story is one of discovery, production, talent, investment, and impact. The 2026 edition of IBJ BioFutures offers a closer look at that story and the people, companies, institutions, and ideas helping shape what comes next.

Published by the Indianapolis Business Journal, BioFutures highlights the breadth of Indiana’s life sciences sector and the role it plays in advancing health, strengthening the economy, and positioning the state for continued growth. This year’s issue explores themes that are central to Indiana’s life sciences leadership, from pediatric innovation and national health security to the sector’s broader contribution to jobs, investment, and well-being.

For BioCrossroads, the publication reflects the story we see across the ecosystem every day: Indiana is a place where research, manufacturing, logistics, workforce development, and industry collaboration come together in ways that create real opportunity. The state’s life sciences sector is not defined by a single company, campus, or region. It is a connected statewide ecosystem with global companies, emerging startups, research universities, innovation districts, hospitals, service providers, and workforce partners all contributing to its strength.

That connection is what makes Indiana’s life sciences sector distinctive. Ideas can move from the lab to commercialization. Products can be made, scaled, and shipped. Talent can find pathways into high-impact careers. Companies can grow in an environment built around collaboration, infrastructure, and long-term sector focus.

BioFutures also arrives at an important moment for Indiana. As the state continues to elevate its life sciences identity through BioHeartland, the publication helps bring visibility to the industries and institutions driving progress across human health, animal health and plant science. It gives readers a clear view of why Indiana matters in the global life sciences economy and why the work happening here has an impact far beyond the state’s borders.


BioHeartland at BIO International 2026

As Indiana’s biosciences ecosystem continues to expand and become more connected across research, commercialization, manufacturing, logistics, and talent, BioCrossroads will lead a coordinated state presence at BIO International 2026 to show how that momentum is taking shape across BioHeartland.

Indiana sits at the intersection of human health, animal health, and plant science. The state is home to a rare concentration of expertise where breakthrough science creates real-world impact. Over the past six years, that foundation has evolved from a series of individual assets into a connected, statewide bioscience ecosystem now unified under a single identity, BioHeartland.

Today, Indiana’s bioscience industry generates more than $125 billion in direct economic impact statewide and since 2024, has been leading the nation in both life sciences and pharmaceutical exports.

Innovation districts are bringing companies, universities, researchers, and entrepreneurs into the same orbit. Research institutions have put more focus behind commercialization. Companies have expanded across discovery, manufacturing, and logistics. Talent programs have grown to meet the needs of an industry scaling quickly.

From June 22-25, BioCrossroads will lead a statewide presence at BIO International 2026 that shows how that momentum is taking shape across BioHeartland.

The Indiana Pavilion will bring together the bioscience companies, universities, innovation districts, and ecosystem partners that reflect the full strength of BioHeartland, from discovery and commercialization to advanced manufacturing, specialized logistics, talent, and global industry leadership.

Together, these partners show how Indiana’s bioscience ecosystem works in practice, connecting the people, places, and capabilities that help companies discover, develop, manufacture, and deliver what comes next across human health, animal health, and plant science.

Meet the partners bringing the BioHeartland to BIO

16 Tech Innovation District
16 Tech is one of Indiana’s key innovation districts, bringing together companies, researchers, entrepreneurs, and partners in a place designed to make collaboration easier and more productive.

Elanco and One Health Innovation District
Elanco’s global headquarters anchors the One Health Innovation District, a platform for collaboration across human, animal, plant, and environmental health.

Eli Lilly and Company
Headquartered in Indianapolis, Lilly brings global life sciences leadership and a long-standing Indiana presence across discovery, development, and manufacturing.

Genezen
Based in Fishers, Genezen supports viral vector development and manufacturing for cell and gene therapy companies, representing Indiana’s growing strength in advanced therapies.

Heartland BioWorks Tech Hub Powered by the Applied Research Institute
Heartland BioWorks is strengthening Indiana’s biomanufacturing ecosystem by connecting industry, research institutions and government partners around next-generation biotechnology, workforce development, and pathways that help prepare talent for highly technical roles..

Indiana Biosciences Research Institute (IBRI)
IBRI connects academic, clinical, and industry partners around major health challenges, with research focused on areas including metabolic disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and pediatric rare diseases.

Indiana Economic Development Corporation
IEDC supports Indiana’s statewide economic development strategy, helping companies understand the opportunities, resources, and partnerships available to grow in the state.

IU Launch Accelerator for Biosciences (IU LAB)
Established by Indiana University and under development at 16 Tech Innovation District, IU LAB is focused on advancing biosciences entrepreneurship, industry partnerships, talent development, and university-connected commercialization.

Indiana Life Sciences Association
Indiana Life Sciences Association is the state’s life sciences trade association, connecting, promoting and advocating for organizations across Indiana’s life sciences industry and helping companies access the relationships, resources and policy support needed to grow.

Indy Partnership
Indy Partnership supports business growth and attraction across the Indianapolis region, helping connect companies with the regional assets, partners, and opportunities that support life sciences growth.

Langham Logistics
Langham Logistics brings specialized supply chain and cold-chain expertise to the pavilion, including a major pharmaceutical cold-chain facility in Plainfield.

Purdue University
Purdue brings deep research and commercialization strengths across human health, animal health, plant science, agriculture, engineering, and entrepreneurship.


Conversations at the Indiana Pavilion

Throughout the week, BioCrossroads will host a series of in booth conversations designed to give BIO attendees a closer look at the people, places, and capabilities behind Indiana’s life sciences momentum.

Monday, June 22

“Indiana’s Innovation Districts: Meet the Life Sciences Hubs”

Featuring leaders from One Health Innovation District, 16 Tech Innovation District, and BioHeartland. The conversation will explore how Indiana’s innovation districts are connecting researchers, companies, manufacturers and investors to build one of the country’s most dynamic life sciences ecosystems.

Tuesday, June 23

“From Discovery to Market: Indiana’s Innovation Story” 

Bringing together leaders from the Indiana Biosciences Research Institute, Purdue University, and Lilly to discuss how Indiana’s research institutions are turning scientific strength into commercial impact. The conversation will focus on what makes Indiana one of the most productive innovation ecosystems in the country and what is coming next.

Wednesday, June 24

“#1 in Pharma Exports: Indiana’s Manufacturing Advantage” 

Spotlighting Genezen, Heartland BioWorks, and Langham Logistics, three organizations working on the front lines of Indiana’s manufacturing, workforce and supply chain capabilities. The discussion will go behind the numbers to explore what Indiana’s manufacturing ecosystem looks like on the ground and what it means for companies looking to build and scale in Indiana.

 Connect with Indiana at BIO

For those attending BIO International, the Indiana Pavillion will offer a direct look at the companies, institutions, and partners helping shape one of the country’s most active bioscience economies.

Inside Booth 3143, attendees will find partners working across the full life sciences value chain, from research and commercialization to innovation districts, advanced manufacturing, specialized logistics, workforce development, and business growth. Together, they reflect how Indiana’s strengths are becoming more connected and how the state is supporting life sciences companies at every stage of growth.

BioCrossroads will help bring that story forward in San Diego, connecting companies, investors, researchers, and partners with the people and places shaping what comes next for Indiana’s life sciences ecosystem.

Visit BioCrossroads and Indiana’s bioscience ecosystem partners at Booth 3143 at BIO International 2026 in San Diego.

Learn more at INBioHeartland.com.

New regional identity showcases the state’s ability to invent, make and move breakthroughs across human health, animal health and plant science, positioning Indiana to compete globally for bioscience investment, innovation and talent.

INDIANAPOLIS (May 19, 2026) — Today, regional leaders introduced BioHeartland, a new shared identity designed to unify and elevate Indiana’s bioscience ecosystem across human health, animal health and plant science.

Developed through a collaborative effort led by the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP) and its branded initiatives, BioCrossroads and AgriNovus Indiana, in partnership with the Central Indiana Regional Development Authority, BioHeartland was created to give Indiana a more cohesive and unified way to share the state’s story with investors, companies, researchers and talent around the world.

For more than a century, Indiana has steadily helped shape global health through leadership in research, development, manufacturing and logistics – inventing, making and moving bioscience solutions at global scale. Today, the state’s bioscience industry generates more than $125 billion in direct economic impact, ranks first in the nation for pharmaceutical and life sciences exports and continues to attract companies, talent and investment at an accelerating pace.

As Indiana competes globally for the next generation of bioscience jobs, companies and innovation, leaders across industry, academia and economic development are coming together around a unified identity for the region’s bioscience ecosystem.

“Indiana is a powerhouse in human, animal and plant biosciences, but our story has not been told with the clarity, consistency or urgency it deserves,” said Melina Kennedy, CEO of the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership. “What makes this region different is not just that we make bioscience solutions, we are also a hotbed of invention and discovery, with the manufacturing strength, logistics infrastructure and collaborative spirit to move innovations into the world. BioHeartland gives us a shared identity to help investors, companies and talent understand the full value of what Indiana offers.”

“Indiana’s life sciences sector has reached a remarkable level of scale because of decades of collaboration across industry, academia, government, philanthropy and investors,” said Vince Wong, president and CEO of BioCrossroads. “BioHeartland helps connect that story across research, development, manufacturing, talent and entrepreneurship, and gives us a clearer way to show how Indiana’s life sciences ecosystem is producing real results for people here and around the world.”

“Indiana is home to global leaders in human, animal and plant health – a powerful intersection for innovation and our competitive advantage,” said Christy Wright, president and CEO of AgriNovus Indiana. “BioHeartland tells our connected story, showing the state’s ability to bring new solutions to market that address critical needs for farmers, consumers and communities across the world.”

Indiana’s bioscience industry generates more than $125 billion in direct economic impact. The state ranks first in the nation for pharmaceutical and life science exports, and Hoosier inventors have patented more than 13,000 inventions since 2010, nearly three times the national average. Governor Mike Braun has also committed $1 billion over the next decade to grow high wage jobs in agriculture and life sciences, further strengthening Indiana’s position in plant, animal and human health.

“Governor Braun’s $1 billion commitment to creating 100,000 new jobs is a statement to the world: Indiana is planting a flag in the ground as the place for human, animal and plant health,” said David Adams. “The assets are already here — from discovery to delivery — across one connected region. With this announcement, Central Indiana has a unified voice and a stronger platform to compete globally for investment, companies and talent. Now it’s time to tell the BioHeartland story to the world.”

The BioHeartland launch also builds on the state’s broader regional growth strategy, including Governor Braun’s designation of CIRDA to help lead and coordinate the next phase of bioscience growth across Indiana.

That economic strength is rooted in a rare concentration of expertise. Indiana is one of the few places in the world where human health, animal health and plant science all operate at scale in the same region. Global companies including Eli Lilly and Company, Elanco and Corteva are headquartered or deeply rooted in Indiana, alongside a growing network of startups, research institutions and advanced manufacturing operations.

“Indiana’s bioscience strength is the result of decades of investment, collaboration, and innovation operating in close proximity,” said David A. Ricks, chair and CEO of Eli Lilly and Company. “Lilly has been a proud part of the BioHeartland story for 150 years, and we’re just getting started.”

“Creating BioHeartland further advances the efforts to make Indiana a premiere destination for life sciences talent and innovation,” said Jeff Simmons, president and CEO of Elanco. “We believe BioHeartland will accelerate efforts to build an ecosystem where the next generation of life-changing bioscience innovation will be created. We look forward to contributing to and thriving within this exciting new chapter.”

Indiana’s research universities are also central to  BioHeartland’s ecosystem, producing and attracting the talent that powers the region’s innovation pipeline while advancing discoveries that reach patients, farmers and communities around the world. The state is home to four R1 research universities, including the largest medical school in the country.

“BioHeartland reflects Indiana’s extraordinary capacity to develop and deliver bioscience solutions at scale,” said IU President Pamela Whitten. “From our nine campuses to initiatives like the IU Launch Accelerator for Biosciences, Indiana University is proud to contribute to that leadership ecosystem through research and innovation that’s improving lives and driving economic opportunity across our state.”

“With our strengths in human, animal and plant health research and innovation, Purdue University is deeply connected to this ecosystem,” said Mung Chiang, president of Purdue University. “BioHeartland gives that work a shared identity and a platform to further accelerate innovation in this space in central Indiana.”

The BioHeartland identity also reflects the growing network of innovation districts and bioscience hubs across Central Indiana, including 16 Tech Innovation District, the LEAP Innovation District, the OneHealth Innovation District, and the Fishers Life Sciences and Innovation District. Together, those districts form a connected constellation designed to help ideas move faster from discovery to commercialization by bringing together research, talent, manufacturing capacity and infrastructure.

“Communities across Indiana have spent years investing in life sciences infrastructure and innovation,” said Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness, chair of the Central Indiana Regional Development Authority. “BioHeartland gives the entire region a unified way to tell our story to position ourselves as a life science destination that can compete globally.”
 

BioHeartland will make its international debut at the BIO International Convention in San Diego, June 22 through 25, where Indiana leaders will introduce the identity to global investors, companies and bioscience partners. Brand assets, messaging guidance and partner resources are available at INBioHeartland.com.

###

About BioHeartland
BioHeartland is a shared identity led by the CEOs of Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP), in collaboration with its branded initiatives, BioCrossroads and AgriNovus Indiana, and in partnership with the Central Indiana Regional Development Authority (CIRDA). It exists to amplify Indiana’s bioscience strengths, while elevating the innovation districts, companies and research centers making and moving a rare concentration of life-changing innovation across human, animal and plant health at global scale. Learn more at INBioHeartland.com.

About CICP
CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP) was formed in 1999 (under its legal name, Central Indiana Corporate Partnership) to bring together the chief executives of the region’s prominent corporations, foundations and universities in a strategic and collaborative effort dedicated to Indiana’s continued prosperity and growth. To advance this objective, CICP sponsors five key talent and industry sector initiatives, AgriNovus IndianaAscend IndianaBioCrossroadsConexus Indiana, and TechPoint, each of which addresses challenges and opportunities unique to its respective area: agbiosciences, talent and workforce development, life sciences, advanced manufacturing and logistics, and technology. To learn more about CICP, visit cicpindiana.com.

About AgriNovus
AgriNovus Indiana, a branded initiative of the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP), is a nonprofit organization focused on advancing the agbioscience sector by connecting and convening stakeholders to deliver innovative ways to inspire and attract agbiosciences talent, companies and innovation to the state. Learn more at www.AgriNovusIndiana.com.

About BioCrossroads
An initiative of the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP), BioCrossroads is a catalyst for Indiana’s life sciences sector, advancing the state’s position as a global leader in research, development, manufacturing, and healthcare innovation. Through strategic initiatives, industry partnerships, and ecosystem development, BioCrossroads supports the growth of life sciences companies, talent, and investment, as well as existing enterprises and new business development across Indiana. The initiative fosters public-private collaboration by uniting a diverse range of academic, industry, and philanthropic stakeholders, all collectively focused on advancing Indiana’s life sciences sector. To learn more about BioCrossroads, visit biocrossroads.com.

See the full announcement from the May 19 launch of BioHeartland

Watch the BioHeartland launch event, including remarks from industry and state leaders, the unveiling of BioHeartland and the story behind why this shared identity matters as Indiana works to tell a stronger, more unified story about its ability to invent, make and move bioscience innovation at scale across human health, animal health and plant science.

Speakers include: 

  • Vince Wong, President and CEO, BioCrossroads
  • Christy Wright, President and CEO, AgriNovus Indiana
  • Melina Kennedy, CEO, Central Indiana Corporate Partnership
  • David Adams, Indiana Secretary of Commerce
  • Scott Fadness, Mayor, City of Fishers

Indiana's Life Sciences Ecosystem in 2025

Advancing BioCrossroads' 10-Year Strategy

INDIANAPOLIS (March 18, 2026)—BioCrossroads today released its 2025 Annual Report, highlighting another landmark year for Indiana’s life sciences ecosystem. The report highlights BioCrossroads’ efforts to support robust talent pipelines, unprecedented economic impact, and national recognition of Indiana’s leadership in life sciences.

Indiana remained number one in the nation for life sciences and pharmaceutical exports. The report also highlights continued growth and momentum across the state’s life sciences and healthcare sectors: $102 billion total economic activity across Indiana’s life sciences industry; 70,000 Hoosiers employed in life sciences across 3,312 establishments; $177,000 average annual wage in life sciences; 386,100 healthcare workers across Indiana; 36 venture capital deals totaling approximately $190 million invested in Indiana life sciences companies in 2025.

“By crossing the $100 billion threshold of total economic contribution, Indiana’s life sciences sector has reached a remarkable milestone that reflects decades of collaboration among industry, academia, philanthropy, government, and investors,” said Vince Wong, President and CEO of BioCrossroads. “More importantly, it shows that Indiana’s model of connecting research, development, manufacturing, talent, and entrepreneurship is producing real results.”

The Annual Report outlines progress across BioCrossroads’ 10-year Strategic Roadmap for Advancing Indiana’s Life Sciences Industries launched in January 2024, detailing major progress in advancing innovation, manufacturing, workforce development, capital formation, and ecosystem collaboration that are strengthening Indiana’s position as a global life sciences leader.

Last year, BioCrossroads expanded support for startups and founders through the Startup Catalyst Center, including the launch of the AXIS Mentoring Program, which connected 14 founders with 36 mentors and delivered more than 50 hours of mentoring in its first year. The organization also helped support the launch of Indiana University Launch Accelerator for Biosciences (IU LAB) to accelerate the commercialization of university-based life sciences research.

Indiana strengthened its role as a global manufacturing hub, highlighted by securing its designation as the Radiopharmaceutical Capital of the World™, reflecting the state’s leadership in research, development, manufacturing, logistics, and specialized workforce capabilities for the rapidly growing radiopharmaceutical sector.

BioCrossroads continued to build talent pipelines through efforts such as the BioTrain initiative, part of the federally funded Heartland BioWorks Tech Hub powered by the Applied Research Institute (ARI) and supported by the federal Economic Development Administration (EDA). The program is developing new biomanufacturing training capacity in partnership with Ivy Tech Community College and Purdue University, leveraging the Midwest-region exclusive curriculum partnership with the National Institute of Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT). BioCrossroads also was designated to serve as the Industry Talent Associations for Healthcare and Life Sciences sectors to help launch the Indiana Career Apprenticeship Pathway (INCAP) to build scalable pathways into high-demand healthcare and life sciences careers, starting with high-school work-based apprenticeships. In 2025, BioCrossroads also expanded statewide and national engagement through convenings, partnerships, and communications efforts designed to elevate Indiana’s life sciences thought leadership.

The 2025 BioCrossroads Life Sciences Summit, held in partnership with AgriNovus Indiana, brought together more than 350 leaders to explore Indiana’s emerging leadership in One Health, connecting human, animal, and plant health innovation. BioCrossroads hosted four FrameWORX events, bringing together more than 500 industry participants to discuss key issues including research commercialization, workforce development, and emerging technologies.

###

About BioCrossroads
An initiative of the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP), BioCrossroads is a catalyst for Indiana’s life sciences sector, advancing the state’s position as a global leader in research, development, manufacturing, and healthcare innovation. Through strategic initiatives, industry partnerships, and ecosystem development, BioCrossroads supports the growth of life sciences companies, talent, and investment across Indiana.  It supports the region’s existing enterprises and encourages new business development. The initiative fosters public-private collaboration by uniting a diverse range of academic, industry, and philanthropic stakeholders, all collectively focused on advancing Indiana’s life sciences sector. Committed to supporting the growth of capital investments and talent development, BioCrossroads provides support to both existing and new life sciences enterprises, including the Indiana Health Information Exchange, OrthoWorx, and the Indiana Biosciences Research Institute. BioCrossroads champions the advancement of cutting-edge research and development, plays a crucial role in building and nurturing a robust talent pipeline, and is dedicated to establishing Indiana as a thriving hub for life sciences manufacturing. To learn more about BioCrossroads, visit biocrossroads.com.

+