Indiana Biosciences Research Institute

The Indiana Biosciences Research Institute (IBRI) is an American nonprofit translational research organization headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States^[1] within the 16 Tech Innovation District.^[2] The IBRI is the nation's first industry-led collaborative life sciences research institute.^[3] Its primary focus is on better understanding the pathogenesis of type 1 and type 2 diabetes to translate this knowledge into novel therapies,^[4] while also expanding into other metabolic diseases that share common systems and pathways.^[5]

Indiana Biosciences Research Institute

Innovation Building 1 at 16 Tech Innovation District
Formation	May 1, 2013; 12 years ago (2013-05-01)
Type	Research Institute
Headquarters	Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
Region served	Indiana
Staff	100
Website	https://www.indianabiosciences.org

History

In 2012, pharmaceutical executive John C. Lechleiter from Eli Lilly & Company initially proposed the IBRI.^[6][7] In 2013, Indiana governor Mike Pence announced the formation of the IBRI.^[8] Pence later worked with life sciences leaders to secure $25 million in startup funds from the state.^[9]

In 2015, the IBRI hired David Broecker as CEO.^[10] In late 2015, the Indianapolis City-County Council approved $75 million to build a technology park called 16 Tech.^[11]

In February 2016, IBRI, along with Governor Mike Pence, announced $100 million in new funding from the Lily Endownment Inc. and the Eli Lilly and Company Foundation.^[12] Later that year, in October, the IBRI hired Rainer Fischer as Chief Scientific Officer.^[13][14]

In 2017, Governor Eric Holcomb reaffirmed the commitment made by his predecessor Mike Pence.^[15][16][17] In August of that same year, Innovation Officer Rainer Fischer was named CEO.^[18] He stepped down in 2019.^[19] In September 2020, Alan Palkowitz was named president and CEO of the IBRI.^[20]

In September 2024, IBRI and Indiana University announced the creation of a joint center of excellence. The new center, the Joint Center of Excellence for Point of Care, will advance innovation and treatment in four disease areas: diabetes and metabolism, pediatric rare diseases, cancer, and Alzheimer's disease.^[21]

Leadership

Appointees to the IBRI's Board of Directors include:

• Robert Bernhard, University of Notre Dame
• Daniel Evans Jr., Indiana University Health
• Tatiana Foroud, Indiana University School of Medicine
• Jay Hess, Indiana University
• David Ingram, Indiana University Health
• Cris Johnston, Indiana Office of Management and Budget
• John Lechleiter, Eli Lilly & Company
• Patricia Martin, BioCrossroads, Inc.
• Theresa Mayer, Purdue University
• Alan Palkowitz, IBRI
• Dan Peterson, Cook Group
• Aaron Schacht, BiomEdit, LLC
• Wendy Srnic, Corteva