INDIANAPOLIS (October 16, 2023) – BioCrossroads today announced the agenda for its 2023 Life Sciences Summit, which will focus on Indiana’s leadership role in research and medical advances related to Alzheimer’s disease as well as in helping people who live with Alzheimer’s and caregivers manage the disease that affects more than 6 million Americans – including about 110,000 Hoosiers.

“Our annual summits have always offered meaningful insights, but this year we are pleased to focus on how Indiana researchers and care-focused organizations are involved in globally significant advances that could provide life-altering change for so many people,” said Jane Dunigan-Smith, BioCrossroads’ senior vice president and chief strategy officer. “The hard work so many Hoosiers have put into the battle against Alzheimer’s disease is coming to realization, and we are proud to offer a forum that showcases it.”

Alzheimer’s Association Greater Indianapolis Chapter Executive Natalie Sutton said the summit is an opportunity to raise awareness of the many developments in Indiana that have been made and will soon be helping to improve thousands of lives.

“People with Alzheimer’s live with physical, social and financial challenges that upend their lives and introduce an element of fear and uncertainty that exacerbates the underlying diagnosis,” she said. “This gathering will underscore how the state’s life sciences community is making a true difference for Hoosiers and people around the world who live with this disease and for those who fear they may one day face it. I think they’ll leave with a measure of hope that solutions – or at least significant advances in care – are on the horizon.”

Among the accomplishments to be discussed at the summit:

• Groundbreaking research shedding light on the genetic underpinnings of Alzheimer’s disease
• The “world’s most impactful Alzheimer’s research” at Indiana University School of Medicine
• The latest news regarding Alzheimer’s drug development from Eli Lilly and Company, Roche Diagnostics and other Indiana-based pharmaceutical companies.
• How a care model developed in Indiana for families dealing with Alzheimer’s patients is spreading across the country and giving caregivers necessary support.

News reporters focused on Alzheimer’s disease and healthcare are encouraged to attend the day-long summit on Thursday, November 9, 2023, at the Mavris Event Center in Indianapolis. See the full agenda here.

The summit begins at 9:30 a.m. and closes around 4 p.m. after the announcement of the annual BioCrossroads Watanabe Award recipient.  In between, participants will hear about promising research and medicines for people living with the disease, insights from a resident of Central Indiana who lives with Alzheimer’s disease, caregivers and advocates who provide important support systems. They include:

• Bruce Lamb, executive director of the Stark Neurosciences Research Institute at the IU School of Medicine
• Phyllis Ferrell global head Alzheimer’s external engagement at Eli Lilly and Company
• Maria Carrillo, the chief science officer at the Alzheimer’s Association
• Alan Palkowitz, M.D., president and CEO at the Indiana Biosciences Research Institute
• Dawn Brooks, global business development leader for Alzheimer’s at Eli Lilly and Company
• Tatiana Foroud, executive associate dean for research affairs at the IU School of Medicine
• Cristian Lasagna-Reeves, PhD, director of Neurodegenerative Disorders Research Group at the Stark Neurosciences Research Institute
• Russell Barton, chief operating officer, Acumen Pharmaceuticals
• Natalie Sutton, chapter executive at the Alzheimer’s Association of Indiana
• John Dwyer, president of the Global Alzheimer’s Platform Association

About BioCrossroads: BioCrossroads, is the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership’s (CICP) initiative to grow, advance and invest in the life sciences. It is a public-private collaboration that supports the region’s existing research and corporate strengths while encouraging new business development. BioCrossroads invests capital and provides support to life sciences businesses, launches new life sciences enterprises (including the Indiana Health Information Exchange, OrthoWorx and the Indiana Biosciences Research Institute,) expands collaboration and partnerships among Indiana’s life science institutions, promotes science education and markets Indiana’s life sciences industry.