Heartland BioWorks
Lead Agency: Applied Research Institute
State Served: Indiana
Applicant-Defined Region: Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson MSA
Core Technology Area: biomanufacturing
Contact: John Fernandez (John.fernandez@theari.us)
Media Contact: Caleb Bonham (Caleb.Bonham@theari.us)
Organizational Link: https://www.heartlandbioworks.com/home
Heartland BioWorks, led by the Applied Research Institute, aims to transform Central Indiana into a global leader in biotechnology and biomanufacturing by increasing the region’s capacity to make and deploy life-saving medicines. Leveraging the region’s research institutions, venture ecosystem, logistics infrastructure, and established pharmaceutical and biotechnology manufacturing presence, this Tech Hub will catalyze regional biotech innovation.
Heartland BioWorks seeks to strengthen the nation’s biotechnology supply chain and facilitate the rapid discovery, development, commercialization, and deployment of next generation bioproducts in human, animal, and plant biosciences.
In July 2024, EDA recommended this Tech Hub receive grant funding of approximately $51 million to implement four projects, including:
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Attracting and connecting workers, including those historically excluded from the innovation workforce, to good jobs;
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Establishing a formal network to provide navigation resources, mentorship, and greater access to facilities and venture capital funding to help innovators successfully scale and launch their bioproducts in the region;
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Constructing BioWorks HQ, a training and demonstration facility for trainees to enter the workforce and for current employees to upskill;
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Implementing a grant program to help early-stage innovators surmount cost barriers to accessing these product development facilities, keeping biotech inventions and supply in the U.S.; and
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Developing training pathways, leveraging curricula from Indiana’s higher education institutions and other globally recognized training programs to prepare participants for high-quality jobs in biomanufacturing operator and lab technician roles once the BioWorks HQ is constructed.
To ensure that the impacts of the Tech Hub projects benefit the entire region, the consortium is committed to establishing a BioWorks Community and Equity Advisory Board that will be comprised of representatives from underserved communities and will include reviews of programming to amplify opportunities disenfranchised groups.
Designee Narrative (PDF) (submitted by the designee in its Phase 2 application package)