On Tuesday, May 17 the Indiana Center for Biomedical Innovation (ICBI) hosted its “(Re)Discover the ICBI” open house. Attendees were invited to visit the ICBI at the headquarters in Indianapolis to learn more about the work that its member companies, leadership, and sponsors are doing. Attendees also had the opportunity to tour the facilities while enjoying time to network.
The Indiana Center for Biomedical Innovation serves as not only to connect researchers with resources through its partnerships with organizations such as IU Health, IU School of Medicine, the Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (CTSI) and the Office of Clinical Research (OCR), but also provides a physical fully equipped laboratory facility in which these discoveries can take place.
Speakers included Aaron J. Vigil-Martinez, who was named director of the ICBI within the last year, Sharon Moe, MD, co-director of the Indiana CTSI, and Joe Trebley, founder and chief executive officer of Scioto Biosciences, a successful resident company in the ICBI.
“The ICBI has been a critical partner in moving from discovery to the clinic,” said Trebley. “They have been really helpful every step of the way, from doing early discovery work to doing the necessary safety testing for the FDA prior to filing the Investigational New Drug (IND) application, and being the place we continue to practice translational science. The people that are here, the help they provide, the ICBI team is really an extension of our team and I think that is one of the real values that you get when you come here.”
“Our goal is to see more companies meet their scientific and fundraising goals that allows them to be in a position to move out and expand,” said Moe, who is also the associate dean for clinical and translational research at IU School of Medicine. “When the companies that are here move up and out into the fabulous ecosystem of Indianapolis and around the state, other researchers can follow in their footsteps. You make the system that facilitates success and growth, and then you send them out with the skills they need to survive.”
ICBI director Vigil-Martinez said he was excited the group was able to come together in-person so he could introduce himself and set the vision for the ICBI going forward, as well as highlight the work of their companies.
Chandan Sen, PhD, Director of the Indiana Center for Regenerative Medicine and Engineering (ICRME) and Executive Director of the Comprehensive Wound Care Center at IU Methodist Hospital, also spoke at the event and highlighted a new PhD program in regenerative medicine.
The ICBI leadership hopes to expand its network of expertise and engage with new partners, either as a resource to explore opportunities, further discovery, advance commercialization, or partner resources to bring innovation to market in the future. Learn more about the ICBI at the organization’s website.
