Disease-diagnostics firm plans to invest $5.3M, hire up to 31 workers
MiraVista Diagnostics, which processes more than 100,000 fungal-infection tests annually, plans to double the size of its headquarters near Indianapolis International Airport.
Life Science & Biotech
Articles
University researchers make discoveries count as entrepreneurs
A few influential “serial entrepreneurs” in Indiana universities feel an itch to turn their discoveries into products and companies, over and over again.
Endocyte’s $2.1B deal with Novartis comes after years of setbacks
The West Lafayette biotech firm’s stock traded as low as $1.41 last fall, following multiple setbacks and restructurings. But the stock had soared to $24 Thursday morning after news that it would be acquired by Novartis.
Novartis to acquire West Lafayette-based Endocyte for $2.1B
The deal represents a huge breakthrough for tiny Endocyte, which has about 90 employees in Indiana but has not yet launched a single product.
BioCrossroads forms $9M seed fund for life science startups
The Indiana Seed Fund III is an early-stage fund focused on developing startups in life sciences, health IT and agricultural biosciences.
UPDATE: Elanco shares rise 50 percent in first day after $1.5B animal-health IPO
The Eli Lilly and Co.-owned animal medicine maker’s shares rose to $36 each at closing Thursday, up from their $24 offering price.
DowDuPont names leaders for Corteva Agriscience, DuPont
The Corteva Agriscience spinoff, which includes the local operations of the former Dow AgroSciences unit, employs about 1,500 workers in Indianapolis.
Roche, facing technician shortage, teams with UIndy to lure students
The “Roche Academy” will provide mentors, internships and special curriculum to biology and chemistry undergrads, along with financial incentives and a job offer after graduation.
Court orders ban on Dow Agro pesticide, says EPA violated law
A federal appeals court ruled Thursday that the Trump administration endangered public health by keeping widely used pesticide chlorpyrifos, sold by Dow AgroSciences, on the market.
Lilly plans IPO for Elanco animal-health unit
The Indianapolis-based pharmaceutical company said the division’s headquarters would remain in Greenfield after the spinoff and that no job cuts are planned.
Trump health chief Azar renews call to end key drug-pricing tactic
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar told lawmakers that it may be time to eliminate the complex system of rebates that drug companies and pharmacy-benefit managers use to negotiate and set prices.
Biodiversity champion wins Indianapolis Prize for conservation work
The seventh recipient of the prize has been credited with protecting hundreds of species and millions of acres of critical habitat around the world. He will receive $250,000.
Trump health secretary: Drugmakers must help cut prices, or else
Alex Azar, secretary of Health and Human Services and a former executive of Eli Lilly and Co., said Monday that the Trump administration plans to turn up the heat on uncooperative pharma firms.
UPDATE: Eli Lilly buying immuno-oncology company for $1.6 billion
The Indianapolis-based pharmaceutical giant said it plans to acquire ARMO BioSciences Inc., which is working on treatments that activate the immune system of cancer patients to recognize and eradicate tumors.
16 Tech district could help slow Indiana’s brain drain, panel says
The work-play-live district for innovation and entrepreneurship being developed on the near-northwest side will include research labs, apartments and bicycle trails—which could help to attract young workers.
DowDuPont targets deals to sharpen focus at planned spinoffs
DowDuPont Inc. is working on a series of deals to tighten the focus at two of the three spinoffs it plans for next year, including the Corteva Agriscience spinoff, which includes the Indianapolis operations of the former Dow AgroSciences unit.
Indiana life sciences firms raise record $111M in venture capital in 2017
A $44 million VC infusion in 2017 for biosciences firm On Target Laboratories was one indication that Indiana’s life sciences sector is finally starting to pull down some serious venture funding.
UPDATE: 16 Tech district unveils plan for first 4 buildings, lands $38M grant
The 30-acre first phase of the 16 Tech innovation district, long touted as an up-and-coming hub for entrepreneurship and innovation, will be spurred by a $120 million investment from Browning and a $38 million grant from Lilly Endowment.
Biotech firm plans expansion in Franklin, 23 new jobs
Its $1.5 million investment is expected to help B2S Life Sciences more than double its staff and grow its client base, which includes contract research groups, pharmaceutical firms and biotech startups.
DowDuPont unveils name for ag division: Corteva AgriScience
The agricultural spinoff includes the Indianapolis operations of the former Dow AgroSciences headquarters, which employs about 1,500.