Dr. Low honored for his academic, research and entrepreneurial influence on
Indiana’s life sciences community

Indianapolis, October 22, 2013 –   BioCrossroads today awarded Philip S. Low, Ph.D., Ralph C. Corley Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Director of the Center for Drug Discovery at Purdue University and founder of Endocyte, with the August M. Watanabe Life Sciences Champion of the Year Award, a prestigious honor named in tribute to BioCrossroads’ late first Chairman.

BioCrossroads presents the Watanabe Award annually to an individual or organization that has made or enabled unique achievements in the development and promotion of Indiana’s life sciences research, educational or economic advancement.

“Phil Low has the remarkable combination of being a success in the academic halls, the research lab and the entrepreneur’s office.  His passion for bringing scientific discoveries to the market to improve health and well-being has enabled him to start four companies here in Indiana and to develop breakthroughs in the treatment of cancer,” said David L. Johnson, president and CEO, BioCrossroads. “His contributions to our state’s life sciences community will live on for generations to come by not only educating the future researchers, but also by making a significant impact on human health.  We look forward to seeing more incredible discoveries from this prolific scientist.”

Dr. Low has received several national and international awards including a National Institutes of Health MERIT Award and Purdue University’s award for outstanding research.  In addition to his work at Purdue University, Dr. Low has also guided the discovery and development of seven drugs that are currently in human clinical trials for imaging and therapy of various cancers and has founded two companies (Endocyte Inc. and On Target Laboratories, LLC) focused on commercialization of these and other targeted drugs.  He has also been involved in two other Indiana start-up companies.

Dr. Low’s name is added to an impressive list of other winners of the award including, Leonard Betley, chairman, president and CEO of the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation and chairman of the Regenstrief Foundation and Walther Cancer Foundation; Richard DiMarchi, Ph.D., Standiford H. Cox Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, Linda & Jack Gill Chair in Biomolecular Sciences and founder of Marcadia Biotech; Dane A. Miller, Ph.D., founder and former chief executive officer of Biomet; Bill Cook, founder of Cook Group; and the Lilly Endowment under the leadership of Chairman Thomas Lofton.

About BioCrossroads

BioCrossroads (www.biocrossroads.com) advances Indiana’s signature strengths in the life sciences by connecting with corporate, academic and philanthropic partners; facilitating investments in promising start ups and building new enterprises; and educating through conferences, reports and market development knowledge.   The initiative supports the region’s existing research and corporate strengths while encouraging new business development and has formed several new nonprofit organizations, including Indiana Health Information ExchangeFairbanks Institute for Healthy Communities,BioCrossroadsLINXOrthoWorx,  and Datalys Center.