Central Indiana to become center for life sciences

IU joins initiative

With many of the resources already in place, central Indiana is poised to become a world-class hub for the life sciences industry under the guidance of the newly-formed Central Indiana Life Sciences Initiative. Introduced at a news conference in Indianapolis Feb. 13, the initiative is a non-profit entity formed by Indiana University, the City of Indianapolis, the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP), Purdue University and the Indiana Health Industry Forum (IHIF).

Nearly $1.5 billion already has been invested and committed to life sciences projects through 2005 in the geographical corridor stretching from Bloomington through Indianapolis to West Lafayette. Those projects include the recent creation of IU’s Indiana Genomics Initiative and Purdue’s Discovery Park.

Initiative activities are expected to attract further investments and federal dollars to the corridor area, as Indiana moves away from its traditional manufacturing-based economy to one founded more in technology and knowledge. Additional jobs also are anticipated in the life sciences industry, which already is the largest private employer in Indiana. More than 82,000 Hoosiers currently earn livings in the life sciences sector, which pays salaries that are 2.5 times higher than the average worker’s salary in central Indiana.

The Central Indiana Life Sciences Initiative will be housed and operated by the CICP. Initiative staff will be provided initially through CICP, IHIF and Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson’s office.