Indiana Set To Become National Hub In Bioscience And Agricultural Innovation, Sees Investments From Bill Gates And Big Pharma

The following report is by AgFunder News:

This past October, the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration chose Indiana as one of 31 designated tech hubs across the country. Branded Heartland Bioworks, the designation could translate to millions in funding to advance biotech innovation across agriculture, animal health and human health in the Hoosier state.

“There’s an intersection that is undeniable between plant science, animal health and human health,” says Mitch Frazier, CEO of AgriNovus Indiana, an initiative growing agbioscience innovation in Indiana.

In a recent conversation with AgFunderNews, he noted:

Indiana is home to the largest pure-play ag company in the world with Corteva; the second-largest independent animal health company with Elanco, and the most valuable human pharma company in Eli Lilly.

On top of all that, Indiana holds 23 million acres of farmland within its borders and is less than a day’s drive to most of Middle America, where the bulk of commodity farming happens. Indiana University, home to the largest medical school in the country, and ag education heavyweight Purdue University also call Indiana home.

Imagine biotech innovation in plant science that produces improved animal feed that increases animal protein production and reduces environmental impact. Now imagine that improved animal protein delivering even greater human health attributes through the power of biological innovation to ultimately improve human health and nutrition.

Biological innovation at the intersection of plants, animals and people is essential to the future of the food system and health. There’s no other metro in the world that has the collective strength of innovation assets across plant science, animal health and human health that is present in Indianapolis.

Says Frazier

More Than A Century In The Making

Indiana’s strength in innovation across human health, plant science and animal health stretches back more than a century.

In 1876, Colonel Eli Lilly founded Eli Lilly, Chemist in Indianapolis. The business would eventually become Eli Lilly and Company, one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies.

Lilly formed Elanco in 1950, releasing the company’s first antibiotic for veterinary use three years later. Elanco eventually separated from Lilly and debuted on the New York Stock Exchange in 2018. Since then, the company has broken ground just west of downtown Indianapolis where they are building what Elanco CEO Jeff Simmons calls the global epicenter for animal health innovation…