Eli Lilly and Indiana University (IU) have announced a new agreement, under which Lilly will provide up to $40m to IU in order to expand access to clinical trials in Indiana.
The five-year agreement includes a focus on strengthening research and clinical development for Alzheimer’s disease and builds on a long-term partnership between Lilly and IU.
The IU Launch Accelerator for Biosciences (IU LAB), IU’s central engine for academic-industry collaboration, will lead IU’s side of the collaboration. It aims to develop an AI-enabled clinical trial infrastructure that will streamline trials in chronically prevalent diseases and oncology, potentially accelerating the transition from drug discovery to approved treatment. Additionally, the IU LAB will work on increasing access to neurological health resources across Indiana, engaging Lilly’s global expertise in Alzheimer’s for diagnostics and treatment innovations.
David Ricks, chair and CEO of Lilly, said: “Our goal is to transform clinical research, advancing science and improving care.
“Indiana has…world-leading science, statewide health systems that reach patients where they are and a community that believes in turning discovery into better care. [This agreement]…strengthens Indiana’s role as a global life sciences leader and expands access to innovation that benefits patients everywhere.”
Also included in the agreement, IU will foster a pipeline of skilled talent to meet the needs of both Lilly’s workforce and Indiana’s life science industry, which is worth $99bn.
Russell Mumper, vice president for research at IU, said: “Strategic research partnerships between academia and industry are critical to driving scientific discoveries and economic impact across Indiana and beyond. This partnership combines IU’s extensive research strengths with the leadership of one of our state’s top employers to drive real-world change.”