USA – Purdue University and Elanco Animal Health Inc. are partnering to establish Indiana’s new One Health Innovation District, a research park that addresses pressing issues in animal, plant, human, and environmental health.
The announcement was made at Indiana’s 2024 Global Economic Summit on May 23, following the signing of a memorandum of understanding by Purdue President Mung Chiang, Elanco President and CEO Jeff Simmons, and the Indiana Economic Development Corp.
The One Health Innovation District will include a shared-use facility on 3 acres near Elanco’s future global headquarters on the western edge of the White River in Indianapolis.
This facility will house office spaces, wet labs, and incubator spaces, promoting collaboration between industry and academia.
The district will complement Elanco’s nearly completed 220,000-square-foot corporate headquarters, set to open in the second quarter of 2025.
Additionally, Elanco plans to purchase 12 more acres for future expansion and the development of the Epicenter for Animal Health.
Purdue’s involvement extends its research reach into Indianapolis, coinciding with the launch of Purdue University in Indianapolis on July 1. The university’s research will focus on microbiome understanding, antimicrobial resistance, computational biology, comparative genomics, and livestock sustainability.
This partnership aligns with the biotech presence in Indianapolis, home to companies like Elanco, Eli Lilly and Company, and Corteva Agriscience.
Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb emphasized the significance of this initiative: “The One Health Innovation District will propel our regional technology hub, accelerating collaborative innovation in life sciences.”
The district aims to create a thriving ecosystem focused on talent, research, and innovation.
Jeff Simmons of Elanco highlighted the benefits: “The One Health Innovation District will set Indianapolis apart as an area where innovators will find a vast ecosystem of support.”
The district is designed to support the transition of life-changing innovations from ideas to reality, with resources such as funding, lab space, and collaborative opportunities.
The district aims to enhance the ability to prevent, predict, detect, and respond to health threats through integrated One Health approaches.
Purdue and Elanco, in collaboration with Applied Research Institute, AgriNovus, BiomEdit, and others, are planning a One Health Summit for the fall to showcase the district’s capabilities.
The One Health Innovation District is part of a consortium recognized by the Economic Development Administration as one of 31 Tech Hubs.
This designation positions the district to secure significant funding to enhance its capabilities following the passage of the CHIPS and Science Act.
Awards expected this summer could invest an additional US$50 million to US$75 million in designated hubs.
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