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]
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 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]
