INDIANAPOLIS – Lilly Endowment Inc. and the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP) today unveiled during the “150 Years of Medicine” celebration at the recently completed Lilly Event Center a new annual speaker series that will bring to Indiana world-renowned experts in important and timely topics regarding life sciences.

“The annual series is endowed through a $10 million grant from Lilly Endowment to the CICP Foundation in tribute to the role the Endowment’s founders played in developing and leading Eli Lilly and Company during its first century and in recognition of the company’s 150th anniversary. The speaker series will help raise the profile and build on the state’s national leadership in the life sciences,” said N. Clay Robbins, Lilly Endowment’s Chairman and CEO.

“Indiana is home to some of the world’s most innovative life sciences companies and research institutions, and Hoosiers are at the forefront of discoveries that are enhancing the quality of life in our state and throughout the world. Through this new speaker series, CICP will lead the development and administration of a statewide platform for thoughtful, accessible dialogue that connects internationally esteemed experts with students, educators, life sciences businesses, scientists, public health organizations, and public sector and community leaders, right here in Indiana,” added Robbins.

By providing a range of learning opportunities, the series will help people better understand emerging life sciences breakthroughs and the implications for patients, families, and their communities and strengthen connections between Indiana’s industry, universities, and community organizations while emphasizing the state’s role as a leader in life sciences innovation. Additionally, the series will showcase Indiana’s contributions to advances in human health.

“Lilly was founded on the belief that science changes lives — and 150 years later that conviction still drives our company,” said Lilly Chair and CEO Dave Ricks. “This speaker series reflects a shared commitment to advancing science, learning, and leadership in our home state. We’re grateful to Lilly Endowment and CICP for helping ensure that meaningful conversations shaping the future of health continue right here in Indiana.”

Annually, the speaker series, which will begin in 2027, will feature:

  • A flagship public lecture in Indianapolis delivered by a nationally or internationally recognized scholar or leader. It will be available broadly through digital platforms and livestream.
  • Theme-based programming and moderated discussion to focus on timely topics aligned with Indiana’s areas of strength, such as metabolic science, oncology, digital medicine, global health, and bioethics.
  • Student and early-career engagement for high school, undergraduate, graduate, and professional students including small-group roundtables to inspire talent and build community.
  • Educator and community learning through which complex life sciences topics will be communicated in accessible formats to broad audiences.
  • Professionally produced digital assets including recordings, short highlight clips, social media posts, and a concise annual summary that will extend the impact of the flagship lecture statewide and nationally.

The series will be guided by an advisory committee representing leaders from Indiana’s life sciences companies, including Eli Lilly and Company, Indiana’s research universities and other educational, civic and community organizations. The committee will recommend speakers and themes and shape engagement activities to maintain educational relevance and overall value.  Over the next three years, speaker themes could include metabolic science and chronic disease, oncology and immunology, and neuroscience and mental health.

“Indiana’s life sciences sector is a major driver of discovery, advanced manufacturing and employment, giving Indiana recognition as a global leader in life sciences innovation,” said Melina Kennedy, CICP’s CEO. “Through this speaker series, we will help more Indiana residents understand how the life sciences and Indiana’s leadership in that sector benefit their lives and communities in Indiana as well as across the globe.”

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About CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP) and CICP Foundation

CEOS of Indiana Corporate Partnership, formerly Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP), was formed in 1999 to bring together the chief executives of the region’s prominent corporations, foundations and universities in a strategic and collaborative effort dedicated to Indiana’s continued prosperity and growth. To advance this objective, CICP sponsors five key talent and industry sector initiatives, AgriNovus Indiana, Ascend Indiana, BioCrossroads, Conexus Indiana,  and TechPoint, each of which addresses challenges and opportunities unique to its respective area: agbiosciences, talent and workforce development, life sciences, advanced manufacturing and logistics, and technology. CICP Foundation operates exclusively for the benefit of and carries out the mission of CICP by engaging and supporting its charitable and educational activities. To learn more about CICP, visit cicpindiana.com.

About Lilly Endowment Inc.

Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private foundation created in 1937 by J. K. Lilly and his sons, Eli and J.K. Jr., through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. While those gifts remain the financial bedrock of the Endowment, the Endowment is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with its founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion. While the Endowment funds programs on an invitational basis to support these causes throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion, it maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana.