New research position to assist in life sciences plan

When IU and BioCrossroads hired Cynthia Helphingstine last month to the new positions of translation scientific officer, they created a role that will allow the University to identify research discoveries as early as possible that have the potential to become important clinical therapies. \n"By doing this and working with the researchers to drive the discoveries through IU's existing commercialization process, I will contribute to the longer term goal of improving the health of Hoosiers," Helphingstine said. \nThe position's conception began with the IU Life Sciences Strategic Plan, created in the attempt to coordinate and prioritize the University's research plans and to help guide the ambitions that IU hopes to achieve in the life sciences field. \nThe plan is part of a larger effort to increase Indiana's already strong standing nationwide as a life sciences economy, as shown in a recent Standard & Poor's report, which described Indiana as a "$13.6 billion global life science hub." \nThe Strategic Plan identifies analytical chemistry and technology, organic chemistry, biochemistry, cancer biology, diabetes, metabolic disorders, neurosciences, model systems in biological research and personal wellness and health as the focuses for research concentrations and advanced clinical care. Connected with that is the initiative to create the technology and infrastructure to support this effort, which includes establishing buildings for research, cyber infrastructure and interdisciplinary research and service centers. \nEvidence of this plan is already apparent, as the soon to be completed Simon Hall will house 750 IU scientists and researchers. In addition the School of Medicine in Indianapolis is set to complete the Medical Information Sciences Building later this year and the Research III building in 2009. \n"These buildings and other recently completed buildings, like Research II, are expanding lab availability in Indiana," said Jenny Siminski, marketing director for BioCrossroads. "(Also there is) the vast amount of other life sciences-related construction in downtown Indianapolis, much of which will house lab facilities." \nThe means and goals of this plan are highly ambitious. According to IU's life sciences Web site, it proposes plans to make IU research programs in analytical chemistry among the top-tier in its field, to make IU a leader in the nation in neuroscience research, and to make the University's cancer research and advanced clinical care among the most sophisticated and successful in the country. \nWhile a part of the strategic plan is to enhance the importance and prestige of IU, more than that, officials are hoping to do the same for the state and its economy. This aim is found prominently in the document's subtitle: "Life sciences -- the science of humanity; the future of Indiana's economy."\nIU Research and Technology Corporation Vice President for Technology Transfer Jack H. Pincus said the primary sources of revenue for this research and development come from the federal government, companies and foundations. For example, two grants totaling $155 million from the Lilly Endowment, Inc. will fund the Indiana Genomics Initiative. \nBioCrossroads, a company created from leading academic, state and industrial institutions in order to promote life sciences business within the state, is expected to play a major role in furthering IU's life sciences objectives. \nSiminski detailed the role of BioCrossroads to include forming "new, successful life sciences business based on existing industry strength in Indiana; (making) direct investments in new Indiana life sciences companies through BioCrossroads' venture funds ... and (helping) create a marketplace for long-term growth within the state." \n"An important component of any growth strategy is business attraction and retention efforts," Siminski said. "We work with the local economic development groups and the state to help support them in these efforts." \nShe added that building new opportunities in the life science industry is a long-term proposition, amounting to potentially a decade or more for some companies to become "mature." She said because of the length of time involved in this, there needs to be a variety of resources available to entrepreneurs throughout all the stages of company growth. \nWhile Helphingstine technically works for BioCrossroads, IU will provide annual funding to cover the costs for intellectual property and project development as well as her salary. \nHelphingstine's added her new role will involve making the connections between the problem and the discovery of the research. She said this can be accomplished by talking to people, understanding where the market's going and understanding what the customer needs.\nHelphingstine said she also hopes to create a "translational culture", meaning getting professors and researchers to think about how they can get research into practical use. With that, by assisting researchers in their effort to move discoveries into the marketplace, she will also supplement the work of the IURTC.\nFor example, in this specific aspect of her position, she can assist researchers in two ways. One is by helping the researcher recognize his or her work's potential applications and working with the researcher to patent and license the work to a company. The other way is by assisting researchers in creating his or her own company. \nThe life sciences initiative as a whole is hoping to have effects both big and small on the state's social, political and economic landscape in the years to come. \nEconomically, Indiana's citizens -- with an average income of $27,910 -- rank 33rd nationwide in personal income, well below the national average of $30,547, according to the 2000 U.S. Census Bureau's personal income per capita state ranking. The state has also found itself ranking high in unfavorable categories such as job loss, personal bankruptcies and home disclosures. \nOfficials are optimistic that the true nature and effectiveness of the IU Life Sciences Strategic Plan and the state's larger life sciences initiative as a whole -- whether it be in the improved health of Indiana citizens, enhanced position and prestige of the University or increased importance and power of its businesses -- will be found in the years to come.