Indiana University’s IU LAB has completed its first year of operation, marking a significant expansion in academic–industry partnerships, translational bioscience research, and workforce development efforts that affect how laboratories collaborate with industry and move discoveries toward commercialization.
Launched as part of Indiana University’s broader investment in life sciences innovation, IU LAB was created to centralize industry engagement, accelerate applied research, and align academic programs with workforce needs. For lab managers, the initiative reflects a shift toward integrated research ecosystems that emphasize operational efficiency, cross-sector collaboration, and real-world impact alongside discovery science.
What IU LAB is and why it matters for laboratory operations
IU LAB is a university-wide academic–industry initiative designed to connect Indiana University’s research enterprise with external partners across the biosciences. The program spans multiple campuses and interdisciplinary research institutes and focuses on five priority disease areas: diabetes and obesity, neuroscience, rare diseases, cancer, and tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
From an operational standpoint, IU LAB aims to reduce administrative barriers that often slow translational bioscience research. Its centralized structure allows laboratories to engage industry partners through a coordinated framework that supports contracting, compliance, and shared research services. For labs overseeing sponsored research, this model can simplify collaboration while maintaining regulatory and quality expectations.
Streamlining academic–industry partnerships through an all-services model
A defining feature of IU LAB is its “All Services” model for academic–industry partnerships. This approach consolidates research services, academic programs, and administrative processes under unified agreements, enabling laboratories to work more directly with industry sponsors.
In September 2025, Indiana University signed a five-year Master Collaboration Agreement with Cook Medical that spans all campuses and services. The agreement supports applied research projects intended to transition from laboratory settings into clinical and commercial environments. For lab managers, this type of partnership structure can reduce project startup delays and clarify pathways for technology transfer and scale-up.
Expanding translational bioscience research and clinical trial innovation
IU LAB has also enabled large-scale sponsored research agreements focused on translational bioscience research. A $40 million agreement with Eli Lilly and Company represents the largest industry-sponsored research agreement in Indiana University’s history.
The collaboration emphasizes clinical trial innovation, Alzheimer’s disease research, and talent development. It underscores the growing need for laboratories to support complex translational workflows, including protocol development, data integration, and coordination between academic and industry research teams.
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“IU LAB connects IU faculty and students with these partners, who are helping turn our ideas into innovations that will improve health and ultimately strengthen Hoosier communities,” said David Rosenberg, president and chief executive officer of IU LAB.
Supporting startups and applied laboratory innovation
Startup development is another pillar of IU LAB’s strategy. The IU Health Incubator at IU LAB provides pre-accelerator support for early-stage human health companies, while the LifeTech Accelerator works with startups developing new therapeutics, diagnostics, and medical devices.
Several participating companies are applying advanced laboratory approaches, including 3D printing and AI–enabled design. These programs position academic laboratories as early validation environments for emerging technologies, expanding the role of lab teams in commercialization and product development.
Workforce development and implications for lab managers
IU LAB is aligning academic programs with industry workforce needs by supporting new bioscience degrees, multidisciplinary curricula, and industry-facing credentials. These programs emphasize applied research experience and exposure to translational bioscience research environments.
The initiative’s future home in the 16 Tech Innovation District will house advanced research cores and academic programs, providing students with direct access to industry partners and IU LAB resources. For lab managers, IU LAB offers a case study in how centralized academic–industry partnerships and workforce development strategies can influence staffing pipelines, project planning, and long-term laboratory operations.
This article was created with the assistance of Generative AI and has undergone editorial review before publishing.
