Dave Ricks, CEO of Eli Lilly and Company, Recognized as 2024 Watanabe Life Sciences Champion for Pioneering Leadership in Indiana’s Life Sciences Industry

INDIANAPOLIS (Nov. 7, 2024) — BioCrossroads has named Dave Ricks, CEO of Eli Lilly and Company, as the recipient of the 2024 August M. Watanabe Life Sciences Champion of the Year Award. The prestigious honor was presented at the annual BioCrossroads Life Sciences Summit, recognizing Ricks' significant contributions to Indiana's life sciences sector and his global impact on healthcare innovation.

Under Ricks' visionary leadership, Lilly has strategically invested billions into research and development to tackle some of the most challenging diseases with high unmet need. This strategy and dogged commitment to innovation has propelled Lilly to the forefront of developing innovative treatments in areas such as obesity, diabetes, oncology, immunology, and neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and ALS. Lilly played a key role in bringing patients vital COVID-19 therapies. In 2024 alone, Lilly has committed over $9B in capital investments in Indiana, which will undoubtably have a transformative impact on the state for generations to come.

"We are thrilled to honor Dave Ricks with the August M. Watanabe Life Sciences Champion of the Year Award," said Vince Wong, President and CEO of BioCrossroads. "His visionary leadership and strategic focus on innovation at Lilly have not only advanced the life sciences industry in Indiana but have also made a profound global impact on healthcare. Dave exemplifies the spirit of discovery and collaboration that this award represents."

The August M. Watanabe Life Sciences Champion of the Year Award, presented by BioCrossroads, was established in honor of BioCrossroads’ late chairman, Dr. August “Gus” M. Watanabe, an esteemed and transformative figure in Indiana’s life sciences community.

The award celebrates those who have significantly advanced the development, education, and promotion of Indiana's life sciences and healthcare sector; personify the emerging face of the industry; and drive innovative developments that have both local and global impacts. Past distinguished honorees have come from diverse backgrounds, including entrepreneurial ventures, research, corporate leadership, medical practice, academia, and philanthropy.

Dr. Watanabe's passion and impact on Indiana’s life sciences community were transformative and enduring. Beyond his professional accomplishments, his caring and nurturing spirit continues to inspire the many people he touched throughout his career. Each recipient of this award embodies Dr. Watanabe’s legacy, contributing profoundly to the state's growth in life sciences through their dedication and cumulative efforts.

Previous August M. Watanabe Life Sciences Champion of the Year award winners include:

• Leonard Betley, retired chairman, president and CEO of the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation
• Dr. Richard DiMarchi, Standiford H. Cox professor of Chemistry and the Linda & Jack Gill chair in Biomolecular Sciences at Indiana University. Co-founder of Ambrx, Inc., Marcadia Biotech, Calibrium and MB2.
• Dane A. Miller, founder of Biomet
• Bill Cook, founder of Cook Group
• Lilly Endowment, under the leadership of Chairman Thomas Lofton
• Dr. Phillip Low, Ralph C. Corley distinguished professor of Chemistry and director of the Purdue Center for Drug Discovery—Biochemistry, co-founder of Endocyte and On Target Laboratories
• Bill Eason, founder of Bio-Dynamics, predecessor to Roche Diagnostics
• Dr. John Lechleiter, former chairman, president and CEO of Eli Lilly and Company
• John Swisher, founder of JBS United
• Dr. Virginia Caine, director of the Marion County Department of Public Health
• Dr. Anantha Shekhar, former executive associate dean for research affairs at the IU School of Medicine
• Dr. Clem McDonald, chief health data standards officer of the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health
• Dr. Harvey Feigenbaum, “Father of Echocardiography” (Echo), distinguished professor, Indiana University School of Medicine
• Dr. Pete Kissinger, founder of Inotiv
• Nora Doherty, former executive vice president of strategy and managing director of the Indiana Seed Funds
• Dr. Bruce Lamb, executive director of the Stark Neurosciences Research Institute at Indiana University School of Medicine and co-director of the Neurosciences Institute

Read more about past winners