A Guide to Indiana Health Care and Life Sciences Initiatives

The Alphabet Soup of Indiana’s Life Sciences

If you have spent any time following the regional economic growth of Central Indiana recently, you have likely encountered a dizzying array of similar-sounding acronyms and initiatives. From BioCrossroads to Heartland BioWorks, the naming conventions in the state’s health care and life sciences sectors have become increasingly dense. As reported by the Indianapolis Business Journal, the proliferation of these entities—while indicative of a booming industry—often makes it difficult for even industry insiders to distinguish between them.

The stakes are high. Understanding who is doing what is essential for grasping how the state intends to compete with established markets like North Carolina’s Research Triangle or California’s Silicon Valley.

Catalyze Central Indiana versus Catalyze Indiana

The confusion often starts with the word “Catalyze.” Last week, the Central Indiana Regional Development Authority (CIRDA) unveiled its regional strategy, Catalyze Central Indiana. The objective here is regional development: uniting 32 communities to attract life sciences investment by emphasizing the interconnected nature of human, animal, and plant health—a concept often referred to as “One Health.” According to CIRDA Executive Director Jennifer Messer, this strategy is specifically designed to clear a path for landing major life sciences investments within the region.

In contrast, Catalyze Indiana is a state-level effort led by the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP). This initiative focuses on advanced chemistry research. To fuel this, they have launched the Catalyst Scholars Fund, a project backed by a $69.4 million grant from the Lilly Endowment. The goal is to recruit as many as 45 research teams to major universities including Indiana University, Purdue University, the University of Notre Dame, and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. While the names overlap, the mission for Catalyze Central Indiana is regional economic attraction, whereas Catalyze Indiana is about building specific academic and research capabilities across the state.

A Guide to Indiana Health Care and Life Sciences Initiatives — Photo: ibj.com

BioCrossroads Functions as an Overarching Industry Engine

Naming "Bio" initiatives is becoming more complex. BioCrossroads, established in 2002 and currently led by CEO Vince Wong, acts as an overarching engine for industry growth through entrepreneurship and collaboration. It is one of five primary initiatives under the CICP umbrella.

BioHeartland, however, is not an organization at all. It is a branding initiative unveiled in May by a coalition including CICP, BioCrossroads, AgriNovus, and CIRDA. Its purpose is to provide a unified identity for the state’s biosciences sector, much like a regional trademark. Finally, Heartland BioWorks is a distinct entity altogether. It is a federally designated technology hub focused on biomanufacturing. Selected in July 2024 to receive $51 million in federal funding under the CHIPS and Science Act, the initiative is currently building a $24.3 million headquarters at the 16 Tech Innovation District in Indianapolis.

Geography and Mission Collide in Local District Naming

Geography and mission often collide in the naming of local districts. The One Health Innovation District, situated on the former General Motors stamping plant site, is an economic development project anchored by Elanco Animal Health’s new headquarters and the upcoming One Health Research Institute. It is a project built for industrial and academic synergy.

The Indy Health District, conversely, is a community-focused nonprofit initiative. Stretching across 1,500 acres near the new Indiana University Health downtown hospital campus, it aims to address social determinants of health—such as food access, housing, and life expectancy—for the surrounding neighborhoods. While both use the word “district,” one is a research-driven economic engine, and the other is a community-health intervention.

Finally, the distinction between the Lilly Endowment and the Eli Lilly and Co. Foundation remains a frequent point of confusion. The Lilly Endowment, established in 1937, is an independent, massive private foundation that focuses on education, religion, and community development. It is a major shareholder of the pharmaceutical company but operates entirely separate from it. The Lilly Foundation is supported by the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and Co. As the Indiana Economic Development Corp notes, the state’s life sciences ecosystem is broad, but the specific origins and mandates of these organizations remain the primary differentiator in how they deploy their resources.

For now, the region continues to layer new initiatives atop existing ones, creating a complex web that defines the current state of Indiana’s life sciences sector.