INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., July 20, 2010 — BioCrossroads today announced that they have received a $1.25 million grant from the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation, Inc. to advance key educational and community initiatives for 2011-2012. Through this significant grant, the Fairbanks Foundation, an Indianapolis-based, independent private foundation focused on the health of the regional population and the vitality of the Indianapolis community, reaffirms a continuing commitment to BioCrossroads’ mission to leverage the growing strengths of Indiana’s healthcare and life sciences sectors.
The grant will fund BioCrossroads’ further support of several key initiatives in which BioCrossroads has played a pivotal role, particularly those promoting the digital collection, analysis and use of clinical information to advance better health outcomes. Such initiatives include the Fairbanks Institute for Healthy Communities, the Indiana Health Information Exchange (IHIE), and the Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (CTSI), as well as new projects to explore the expanding role of healthcare systems in stimulating clinical and technical innovation.
“It would be difficult to overstate the critical importance of BioCrossroads to the entire life sciences initiative. The community at large owes a debt of gratitude to those who created and nurtured BioCrossroads. We at the Fairbanks Foundation consider it a privilege to be able to help support its continuing efforts,” said Leonard J. Betley, Chairman and President of the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation.
IHIE is America’s largest and one of the most successful health information exchange networks, and was recently designated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as one of 15 national “Beacon Communities” for the advancement of better health outcomes through the use of better clinical information. Under this $16 million Beacon Communities Cooperative Agreement Program grant, a wide range of hospitals, physician groups and patients across Central Indiana will see enhanced information connectivity, reductions in unnecessary tests and hospital visits, and improved preventive care for such chronic conditions as diabetes and coronary artery disease through the meaningful and secure use of electronically communicated and privacy protected patient information.
Dedicated to improving healthcare in Central Indiana and beyond, the Fairbanks Institute matches clinical information and tissue samples through a series of pivotal, longitudinal studies of various diseases affecting patients in Central Indiana to create a powerful research tool to develop new diagnostics and therapeutics for better patient outcomes. The Fairbanks Institute began enrolling people with coronary artery disease for its first study in June 2008, following with a second study of patients with type 2 diabetes in October 2009. The Institute’s enrollment network now includes more than 16 sites located throughout Indianapolis and surrounding communities.
Based in Indianapolis and funded through a major and highly competitive 5-year grant from the National Institutes of Health, the Indiana CTSI places the Indiana University School of Medicine and partner institutions Purdue University and the University of Notre Dame in the elite ranks of research universities recognized for their engagement in translational, outcomes-driven healthcare research. For its continued success, the CTSI draws upon a wide range of partners from industry and the community to establish novel, collaborative platforms for translating life science discovery into effective healthcare delivery.
“The Fairbanks Foundation is making a significant impact on the public and economic health of our community, and the Foundation’s strategic commitment to the improvement of healthcare through the effective use of clinical information and responsive innovation aligns perfectly with our broader mission,” said David Johnson, President and CEO of BioCrossroads. “This generous grant enables BioCrossroads to continue working with the Fairbanks Foundation in shared efforts to develop existing programs and identify new ways to make our community an even better – and healthier – place to live.”
To date, BioCrossroads has raised over $240 million in grant funds, contributions and capital investments to advance life sciences opportunities in Indiana.
About The Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation, Inc.
The Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation (www.rmff.org), located in Indianapolis, Ind., was established in 1986 by the late Richard M. Fairbanks who was the founder and owner of Fairbanks Communications, Inc. The Foundation is an independent, private foundation granting funds to qualifying tax-exempt organizations in the greater Indianapolis, Indiana area. The Foundation has three primary focus areas: Health, the Vitality of Indianapolis, and Sustainable Employment. The Foundation seeks to fund initiatives and organizations delivering impactful solutions that address key challenges facing the Indianapolis community.
About BioCrossroads
BioCrossroads (www.biocrossroads.com) is Indiana’s initiative to grow, advance and invest in the life sciences, a public-private collaboration that supports the region’s existing research and corporate strengths while encouraging new business development. BioCrossroads provides money and support to life sciences businesses, launches new life sciences enterprises (Indiana Health Information Exchange, Fairbanks Institute for Healthy Communities, BioCrossroadsLINX, and Datalys Center), expands collaboration and partnerships among Indiana’s life science institutions, promotes science education and markets Indiana’s life sciences industry.