Broecker to Quarterback Bioscience Institute

The Indiana Biosciences Research Institute has selected David Broecker as its first chief executive officer. Broecker, who has been serving as president and chief operating officer, has a well-known history as a biotech entrepreneur and Fortune 500 life sciences executive. His resume includes leadership positions at Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly and Co. (NYSE: LLY) and Alkermes PLC (Nasdaq: ALKS) in Massachusetts, as well as key roles with numerous startups. The IBRI has picked Maryland-based Wexford Science and Technology as the real estate development firm to lead site selection and development activities.

Broecker, an All-American quarterback at Wabash College in the 1980's, will be asked to summon all of his competitive talents to build the institute into a winner for Indiana. The battle for life sciences investment and talent among states is fierce. However, corporate, academic and philanthropic leaders believe it is the next step for a state that has been gaining traction for more than a decade and has earned recognition as a top five life sciences economy in the United States.

According to BioCrossroads, life sciences products account for one-third of all Indiana exports and contribute an estimated $55 billion to the state’s economy. Indiana is home to nearly 2,000 life sciences-related companies.

The institute was launched in 2013, led by a private sector companies in partnership with the State of Indiana and academic institutions. It is designed to serve as a magnet for world class researchers who will focus on addressing cardiovascular disease and metabolic disorders.

Source: Inside INdiana Business