Conference to look at new ways of advancing U.S. competitiveness; first collaboration of its kind

INDIANAPOLIS, IN, May 24, 2007 – The cost of bringing a new drug to market is currently estimated at $1 billion, making it more critical than ever for the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries to improve productivity, efficiency and innovation. BioCrossroads, Indiana’s initiative to help grow and develop life science companies, and CONNECT, San Diego’s non-profit organization dedicated to creating and sustaining the growth of innovative technology and life science businesses, have created a unique collaboration by sponsoring a biopharmaceutical conference at The Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, CA on Wednesday, May 30, 2007. The summit is designed to discuss how to bring new discoveries of drugs to market more quickly and more cost-effectively and how to share the risk of these challenges through regional collaborations.

San Diego and Indiana are natural partners to present a forum to identify resources to strengthen the U.S.’s competitive advantage within the industry. San Diego has long been regarded as the birthplace of biotech in the United States. And one topic for discussion is how San Diego’s discovery “cluster” of biotech firms can work with universities and companies in Indiana that are well-suited for their needs.

Not only is Indiana home to some major players in the biotech/pharma industry such as Eli Lilly and Company and Cook Pharmica, but it is also home to nearly 30 companies, including contract research organizations, cold storage facilities, contract manufacturing companies, and others that can directly support the continued growth of the nation’s biotechnology industry.

“The collaboration between BioCrossroads and CONNECT is a powerful one,” said David Johnson, President and CEO of BioCrossroads. “Indiana is uniquely positioned to support the commercialization of biotechnology products to companies located in San Diego and other biotechnology discovery clusters due to our university and corporate stakeholders, our region’s logistics infrastructure and our FDA-literate workforce.”

In 2006, Indiana was identified as one of the nation’s top four life sciences leaders as defined by the number and concentration of life sciences-related job, according to the report, “Growing the Nation’s Bioscience Sector: State Bioscience Initiatives 2006”. A follow-up report, issued earlier this year, said that the Indianapolis Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) is home to 24,051 bioscience jobs, ranking ninth in the nation.

Four panels will be presented focusing on the discovery, definition, development and delivery of biotech products/pharmaceuticals.

David Johnson will moderate one of the panels. Other Indiana-based panel participants include:

  • Craig Davis, Ph.D., Director
    The Chao Center for Industrial Pharmacy and Contract Manufacturing at Purdue University
  • Dan Peterson, Vice President – Industry & Government Affairs Cook Group Inc.
  • Darren Carroll, Senior Managing Director
    Eli Lilly and Company
  • Lynn Kippenhan, Global Vice President – Sales, Marketing & Commercial Development
    Covance Central Laboratory Services
  • Jack Bailey, Vice President – Business to Business Division, Eli Lilly and Company

The invitation-only conference will draw approximately 200 attendees, most from the San Diego area. The discussion and conclusions drawn from the conference will enable BioCrossroads to continue to refine its Biotechnology Development and Manufacturing Initiative.

About BioCrossroads

BioCrossroads (www.biocrossroads.com) is Indiana’s life science initiative, a public- private collaboration that supports the region’s research and corporate strengths while encouraging new business development. BioCrossroads provides money and support to life sciences businesses, launches new life sciences businesses, expands collaboration and partnerships among Indiana’s life science institutions, expands science education and markets Indiana’s life sciences industry.